Demand high for early childhood degree in Palmerston North

Demand high for early childhood degree in Palmerston North- Publication date: 16 May 2011

Qualified early childhood educators are in high demand in the Manawatu-Wanganui region says Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association (NZCA) Chief Executive, as the Association prepares to take its first mid-year intake of the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) in Palmerston North. "Our degree was successfully launched at our Palmerston North base earlier this year and further places are being made available to meet the high demand by offering a mid-year intake."

"Students are attracted to our centre-based degree programme because it offers a unique perspective and advantages that other programmes do not. Current students in the programme have chosen NZCA because the degree is centre-based. The small class sizes mean that students build strong relationships with their classmates and receive good support from their lecturers and ECE centres."

"Our degree was recently developed so students who study with us have access to the most current ideas in ECE. NZCA's degree programme is uniquely Aotearoa-focused. It brings Māori and Pasifika knowledge to the forefront alongside the best of international theory and research."

"Delivery of NZCA's programmes is based on a day-release schedule, students attend class only once a week and can work or volunteer on the other four days. The ability to learn whilst in centres builds strong connections between theory and practice for the students," says Nancy.

Studying at the Palmerston North teaching base of NZCA is great way to get qualified says Palmerston North NZCA Base Coordinator Debbie Rickard, "Our teaching base in Mihaere Drive offers welcoming, face-to-face classes and a supportive learning environment. Students can access library, learning resources and support online 24/7 via our e-learning site Pou Manawa Akoranga. We are one of the few education providers who offer a mid-year intake for our degree programme so this is a great opportunity for prospective students."