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Qualified teacher returning

If you are a primary* or secondary qualified teacher considering becoming an early childhood teacher, you can choose this option:

Study a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

You can choose a method of study from a variety of options such as campus-based, online, distance, and whether you study full time or part time.

* If you are a qualified primary teacher, you may qualify for either a study grant or a TeachNZ ECE scholarship to complete a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) - you cannot receive both.

TeachNZ Early Childhood Scholarships will be available for qualified secondary teachers interested in studying towards an approved early childhood teaching qualification. ECE scholarships will open on 1 February and close on 1 March 2010.

For more information about scholarships available for study in 2010 please click here.

If you are already a qualified early childhood teacher considering a return to teaching and require updating information, we've listed some useful reading material below.

Our Returning Teachers section also has some information for New Zealand early childhood teachers considering a return to teaching in services.

To check whether you would qualify for financial incentives to return to the workforce, click on the following links for detailed information:

Study grant for primary to ECE teaching - a direct link to detailed information on the $3000 study grants for qualified primary teachers, primary student teachers and degree-holders studying towards approved ECE teaching qualifications.

ECE National Relocation Grant - a link to more detailed information about the $3000 incentive for ECE qualified teachers to secure a teaching position in a hard-to-staff area.

ECE Returning to Teaching Allowance - a link to information about a $2000 grant for qualified and registered ECE teachers returning to the ECE workforce in hard-to-staff areas.

Useful updating reading material:

Te Whāriki - a link to the Ministry of Education's early childhood curriculum policy statement

Quality in Action - this document can be downloaded by following this link to a page on the Ministry of Education website