Time allocation: Full time course

What will this course be about?

This is a full-time course offering students: Comprehensive studies in child care, home management, parenting skills and home-based care, orientation to work skills and professional development. Students will develop skills and confidence in the care of babies and young children. The Gateway programme will offer placement in early childhood centres (one day a week for 2 years). Students are given the opportunity of completing the National Certificate over a period of one or two years.

This allows students to gain greater in-depth knowledge in this area of learning. Year 2 compliments Year one by reinforcing content from the previous year as well as introducing new content, different points of view and more in depth knowledge on the theorists and behaviourists. Students complete work relating to all four major modules as well as workbooks which relate directly to all unit standards.  Our students usually move from us directly to college to gain their Diploma/ Degree. They need to pass the National Certificate in Early Childhood and gain at least Level two English and have worked 350 documented hours in a centre.  To achieve this, our students work one day a week in Year one, and two to three days a week in Year two. Students begin preparing and teaching lessons in the centres by the end of Term one. They use the format provided by their mentor and relate all lessons/activities to Te Whariki.  The students write up their reflections as well as learning stories. Most of year two students already have paid placements in centres in readiness for working towards their Diploma.

What qualifications does this count towards?

• Complete National Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Working towards entry for the Diploma of Teaching
• Nanny Certificate

NZQA Unit Standards:

504 Produce a C.V.

10032 Demonstrate knowledge of ethical behaviour in early childhood

10013 Describe the content and structure of Te Whariki

10015 Interact with young children

10017 Provide resources for play for young children

10038 Develop skills for planning programmes for young children in a home based setting.

10030 Describe the roles and the responsibilities of adults in an early childhood setting

10014 Participate in young children’s play

10016 Develop initial observation skills

10018 Guide young children’s behaviour

10019 Provide a safe environment for young children

10020 Describe hygiene practices for young children

10021 Demonstrate knowledge of basic needs of young children

10022 Demonstrate knowledge of attachment behaviour in early childhood

10023 Demonstrate knowledge of settling young children

10024 Demonstrate knowledge of promoting young children’s health in early childhood

10025 Demonstrate knowledge of protection for young children

10026 Demonstrate knowledge of child development

10034 Demonstrate knowledge of early childhood services in the local community

10036 Demonstrate knowledge of the transition to parenthood and child rearing practices

20406 Describe the benefits of effective communication between parents family and whanau

10038 Home-based care (optional)

12735 Home-based care order (optional)

10031 The role of statutory agencies (optional)

6400 Comprehensive first aid

6401 Comprehensive first aid

6402 Comprehensive first aid

6632 Apply knowledge of age-related nutrition needs in providing for a child.

Up to 28 Credits in English at Level 2 and/or 3 is now included in this course.

Students are given the opportunity to undertake a course in Learner Driving.

Certificate in tots and toddlers

Certificate in first aid Academy Graduation certificate awarded to students who meet all course and Academy requirements

Where will this course lead?

• Career in early childhood centres.
• Home based care-giving.
• Nanny work in New Zealand and overseas.
• Caring in private homes.
• Entry to the Diploma of Early Childcare

Mrs Brenda Withell – Director
Mrs. Withell trained in the United Kingdom and moved into the field of early childhood when many students wished to be “nannies” but could not afford the fees. Many students moved into teaching on completion of the National Certificate either through the College of Education or working in centres and going to college one day a week. Some of our students are completing their Diploma through the Open Polytechnic. I am very enthusiastic and dedicated to this course. It opens up pathways for students of all ages and provides many pathways to employment.