Pakuranga College

Level 3 Early Childhood Education

13ECE Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Miss S. Bryson.

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Course Overview

Term 1
Students will explore how to build strong, respectful relationships with young children by using effective strategies and drawing on te ao Māori concepts such as whanaungatanga (building connections), manaakitanga (caring and kindness), and aroha (love and compassion). You'll learn how to support children's social and emotional development through everyday interactions, routines, and play. The course also covers positive, culturally responsive ways to understand and manage challenging behaviour, helping you become a confident and inclusive early childhood educator who values the diverse needs of all children. The next part of the term focuses on different health issues and everyday factors that can affect the overall wellbeing of young children, including things like nutrition, sleep, hygiene, emotional safety, and their home environment. You’ll learn practical ways to protect and support children’s health in an early childhood setting, focusing on their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. It also encourages you to reflect on why meeting these basic needs is so important for helping tamariki grow, learn, and thrive.

Term 2
During this term you’ll be introduced to Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa – New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum. Te Whāriki is based on the idea of a woven mat, where each child’s learning journey is supported through strong relationships, culture, and identity. You’ll explore its key principles and strands, such as empowerment, belonging, contribution, communication, and exploration, and how they guide teaching and learning in early childhood settings. This course will help you understand how early childhood education in Aotearoa supports the wellbeing and development of every child in a way that’s inclusive, respectful, and culturally grounded. In the second part of this term discover why play is such an important part of how young children learn and grow. You’ll explore how different types of play support children’s development – helping them build confidence, solve problems, communicate, and express themselves. Using the guidance of Te Whāriki, New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum, you'll also get hands-on experience designing, using, and evaluating fun and creative play resources that support tamariki in meaningful ways. This course is perfect for anyone interested in working with young children or learning more about how they learn through play.

Term 3
In this term the course will help you understand the diverse makeup of whānau and families in Aotearoa New Zealand, recognising that every child comes from a unique background. You’ll explore the many ways families can look and function, and learn how to respect and celebrate different cultures, values, and traditions in an early childhood setting. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, you’ll gain skills to create welcoming, inclusive environments where all children and their whānau feel seen, valued, and supported.

Term 4
Explore the different types of early childhood education (ECE) services in Aotearoa New Zealand – like kindergartens, kōhanga reo, daycare centres, and home-based care – and learn how each one supports children and their whānau in unique ways. You’ll also dive into the history and core beliefs behind a range of ECE philosophies, such as Te Whāriki, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Steiner. This will give you a deeper understanding of how different approaches to teaching and learning help shape the early experiences of children across the country.

Learning Areas:

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Career Pathways

Counsellor, Early Childhood Teacher, Nanny/Child Carer, Recreation Co-ordinator, Youth Worker, Teacher Aide