If you enjoy working with children, have a big imagination, love being creative and want a career with genuine meaning and purpose, Early Childhood Teaching could be for you.
Think stories, music, messy play, outdoor adventures, art, discovery and plenty of laughter.
As an Early Childhood Teacher, you’ll help young children learn, grow and discover the world around them. You’ll build meaningful relationships, celebrate their little milestones and create experiences that can make a lasting difference in their lives.
Choosing what to do after school is a big decision, and you don’t need to have everything figured out yet. If you enjoy working with children, are creative, curious and interested in making a difference, Early Childhood Teaching could be a career worth exploring.
Here are some of the questions we often hear from students considering ECE.
Early Childhood Teaching is active, varied and centred around people. You’ll spend your days supporting young children as they learn, develop, explore and build relationships.
There isn’t really a “normal” day. One day could involve painting, singing and storytelling. Another could mean exploring outside, supporting a child through a new challenge or planning a learning experience around something children are curious about.
It’s also a professional career. Behind those experiences is an understanding of how children learn and develop, thoughtful planning, observation, reflection and strong relationships with children, whānau and other teachers.
You don’t need to already know how to be a teacher. That’s what your study is for.
If you’re patient, caring, curious, creative, enjoy working with people and are willing to learn, you already have qualities that can support you on your journey towards becoming a teacher.
Absolutely. Creativity is a big part of ECE.
Art, music, movement, storytelling, play, nature, science and imagination can all be part of how you help children explore and make sense of their world. You’ll learn how to turn children’s interests and everyday moments into meaningful learning experiences.
You’ll learn about how young children develop and learn, and how to become an intentional and effective teacher.
Your study will explore areas such as child development, literacy, mathematics, science, technology, the arts, movement, wellbeing, relationships, culture and identity, alongside the new zealand early childhood curriculum – Te Whāriki.
Most importantly, you’ll learn how to take that knowledge and use it in your teaching practice.
Yes. Practical experience is an important part of becoming an Early Childhood Teacher.
Your study combines academic learning with experience in ECE centres, giving you the opportunity to put what you are learning into practice, build your confidence and learn alongside experienced teachers.
Starting tertiary study can feel like a big step, particularly when you’re coming straight from school. You won’t be expected to figure everything out by yourself.
At Cavalli College, you’ll have support from your lecturers, face-to-face Learning Hubs, academic and pastoral support, Teacher Mentors and the wider Cavalli team.
And if you’re not quite ready to begin a degree, our Level 5 and Level 6 Early Childhood Education and Care Diplomas can provide another pathway towards the Bachelor.
Cavalli College’s Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) is an Initial Teacher Education qualification designed to prepare you to become a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and provides a pathway towards teacher registration in New Zealand.
Most graduates begin their careers as Early Childhood Teachers in early learning services.
As you gain experience, there are opportunities to develop in different areas of ECE, take on additional responsibilities and move into leadership positions such as Head Teacher, Team Leader or Centre Manager.
Entry requirements depend on the programme you choose.
If you’re interested in the Bachelor of Teaching but aren’t sure whether you meet the requirements, talk to us. We can look at your school results and your individual circumstances and explain the pathways available to you.
Eligible domestic learners may be able to access StudyLink Student Loans and Student Allowances to help with the cost of tertiary study and living expenses.
StudyLink determines your individual eligibility, and our team can help point you in the right direction when you apply.
You can study with Cavalli College from anywhere in New Zealand.
Our flexible approach combines online learning, practical experience in an ECE centre and regular face-to-face Learning Hubs, giving you the flexibility to study from where you live while still staying connected with your lecturers and other learners.
Your week will be a combination of academic study and practical experience.
You might spend time working through your course content and assessments, participating in discussions, attending a Learning Hub and completing your weekly hours in an ECE centre.
It’s not about sitting in a classroom all week. You’ll be regularly connecting what you study with what you see and experience in practice.
Of course. Choosing a career and a tertiary provider is a big decision, and we want you to feel comfortable before you make it.
You can talk with our team, ask questions about the programme and find out what studying with Cavalli College is like. We can also talk with your school’s Careers Advisor if that would be helpful.
Not sure yet? Come and have a conversation with us. There’s no pressure to apply.
There’s more than one way to begin your journey towards becoming an Early Childhood Teacher.
Start with our Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), an NZQA and Teaching Council approved Initial Teacher Education programme that prepares you to apply for teacher registration after graduation.
You can begin with our New Zealand Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 5) and progress to Level 6, building your knowledge, confidence and experience before pathwaying into the Bachelor of Teaching.
Call us on (09) 486 3000, or email our Enrolments Team to ask questions, talk through your study options, or simply find out more about what a career as an Early Childhood Teacher could look like for you.
