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Early childhood

Currently many opportunities exist for overseas trained teachers who have an ECE teaching qualification that is recognised in New Zealand. Why?

the new professional qualification requirements for ECE teachers have placed significant pressure on ECE teacher supply throughout New Zealand.
the relatively high participation rate in ECE of 0 to 5 year olds even though early childhood education is not compulsory.
the growth in numbers of early childhood services to meet working parents’ demands.

In addition, 2007 saw the highest number of births recorded in New Zealand for 44 years which will mean increased demand for early childhood teachers in the next few years.

Professional requirements for teachers in ECE teacher-led services were introduced in the Pathways to the Future ECE Strategic Plan in 2002. By 2007 it is hoped that 50% of the workforce will have an ECE teaching professional qualification or be studying towards it. By 2012 all early childhood teachers in teacher-led services are required to be registered or studying towards registration.

This means that all teachers in teacher-led services will need a Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or a recognised degree qualification in early childhood education approved by the New Zealand Teachers Council.

Any overseas early childhood education teaching qualification needs to be assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to be equivalent to a Diploma of Teaching (ECE) or Bachelor of Teaching (ECE). Overseas trained ECE teachers must be qualified to teach 0-5 years to obtain NZ equivalency and teacher registration. Many overseas applicants are qualified to teach in the 4-5 age range only. It is also important to note that vocational programs in early childhood education (eg NNEB and Cache Certificate/Diploma programmes in the UK) are not comparable to the three-year academic degree level programs that are required to be recognised early childhood educators in New Zealand.

Click on four steps to complete to find out more about overseas qualification assessments.