Enjoy the creativity of working with young children and help them get a successful start in life. You will learn the skills and knowledge you need to be a confident early childhood teacher.
Learn Te Whariki, the early childhood curriculum
The Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) is a 10-month, full-time programme with 16 weeks based in early childhood centres. The programme is focused on Te Whariki, the early childhood curriculum of Aotearoa New Zealand. You will help children transform their complex, diverse and changing worlds, and empower them to be lifelong learners.
Successful graduates will be able to teach in early childhood centres throughout New Zealand and be eligible for provisional teacher certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The study experience
You can expect to spend 40 to 50 hours studying each week.
Courses are taught over three trimesters, between February and November.
The programme has blended delivery with block courses and online learning. You’ll need to attend two week-long block courses at the University in Wellington (held at the beginning and end of the programme). Students will be supported by a professional learning community (a small group of 10–15 peers) and an academic mentor.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
01/12/2026
Start date
February 2027
Kelburn Campus
Kelburn, Wellington,
Wellington,
6012, North Island, New Zealand
Bachelor's degree or equivalent, police check, references and selection meeting.
To be accepted into this programme you will need:
IELTS: minimum overall score of 7.0 with no sub-score below 7.0
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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Victoria University of Wellington ranks in the top one percent of the world’s universities in 14 subject areas.
