Early Childhood Teacher Education
Overview
The University of Otago offers early childhood Teacher Education qualifications which enable graduates to teach in diverse early childhood settings. The programmes are well-established and highly-regarded in New Zealand.
Students with passion and enthusiasm for children and their learning are encouraged to apply.
Undergraduate Programmes
If you are looking into becoming an early childhood teacher and are nearing the end of your studies in secondary school, or you do not hold a degree, the following two undergraduate bachelor degree programmes may be an option for you. For admission requirements and how the application process works, please refer to this page.
Programme Content
You will study the following in both the Bachelor of Teaching and the Bachelor of Education Studies - Early Childhood Education degrees:
Professional Studies and Professional Practice
You will develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to develop the relationships to work effectively with children, families/whānau, other teachers, community and government agencies. In the Professional Practice papers you will develop and extend knowledge and improve skills through a progressive programme of teaching practice each year in a variety of early childhood settings supervised by associate teachers and college lecturers. There are 23 weeks of teaching practice across three years of both the three-year and four-year programmes.
Curriculum Studies
This provides students with the opportunity to learn about Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, from the history of its development to its role in providing teachers with a framework for appropriate practice.
Education Studies
Examine theories of how people learn and the socio-cultural factors that influence them. The knowledge from these studies will support and complement the content of other studies and provide a sound theoretical basis for teaching.
Subject Studies
There is a wide range of courses providing opportunities to obtain indepth knowledge in selected subjects and specialisation to enrich teaching in a chosen field.
| Programme | Length | Campus |
|---|---|---|
Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg) - Early Childhood Education (BTchg) |
3 years |
|
Bachelor of Education Studies & Graduate Diploma in Education and Teaching - Early Childhood Education (BEdSt & GradDipEdTchg) |
4 years |
|
Graduate Programmes
If you already hold a degree, the Graduate Diploma in Teaching for Early Childhood Educationmay be an option for you. This diploma is designed as a one-year programme and may be taken part-time over two years or may by distance delivery (Otago/Southland residents only) and will enable you to teach in early childhood centres around New Zealand. For entrance requirements into this graduate diploma, please refer to this page.
Programme Content
You will study the following in the Graduate Diploma in Teaching – Early Childhood Education:
Professional Studies
Develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to develop the relationships to work effectively with children, families/whānau, other teachers, community and government agencies.
Teaching Studies
There is an opportunity to teach in a variety of early childhood centres supervised by associate teachers and college lecturers.
Curriculum Studies
This provides students with the opportunity to learn about Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, from the history of its development to its role in providing teachers with a framework for appropriate practice.
Education Studies
Examine theories of how people learn and the socio-cultural factors that influence them. The knowledge from these studies will support and complement the content of other studies and provides a sound theoretical basis for teaching.
| Programme | Length | Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma in Teaching - Early Childhood Education | 1 year full-time or part-time over 2 years |
|
Further information
Enquiries about teaching:
Phil Lemalu
Tel
+64 3 479 3762
Email phil.lemalu@otago.ac.nz