Graduate takes fast track to early childhood qualification

Pip Stackhouse from Christchurch is one of the first students to enrol for Auckland University's new graduate diploma of teaching in early childhood education, offered by the Faculty of Education. As a graduate she can complete the programme in 18 months, studying full-time.

"Flexible delivery suits my learning style,'' she says. "I've spent the last four and a half years at university and I'm enjoying not having to go in each day.''

The new diploma is a shortened path for primary teachers or people with any general degree who want to switch to a career in early childhood.

There is a demand for skilled early childhood teachers, and the programme was introduced to meet the government's requirement for all early childhood staff to become qualified.

Through the faculty's WEBCT, Stackhouse is in contact with her fellow students, and the lecturers are accessible and approachable via phone and email.

"The course content is all valuable,'' says Pip. "Everything I've learned so far is very relevant. There hasn't been a moment where I've thought `why are we learning this?'. And through relieving at an early childhood centre I've been able to apply what I'm learning in a practical setting.''

Stackhouse completed a bachelor of speech and language therapy in 2003 but found few jobs were available in this field in Christchurch, and she was not keen on relocating to another town. Instead she accepted a job at an early childhood centre, while at the same time continuing to take some university Maori and education papers.

Pip says she enjoyed working at the centre so much she decided to pursue a career in early childhood.

"I like working with children of all ages, but especially the younger ones because they go through so much growth and development in that period. It's marvellous to see how they open up.''

Other reasons for Pip choosing to study at the Faculty of Education included its reputation and the fact she could begin her studies in July.

The programme includes study guides, regular internet contact and on-campus workshops (no more than seven days each six months), and practical experience in early childhood centres.

Available at the Epsom campus, the graduate diploma of teaching (ECE), University of Auckland, leads to work in all teacher-led early childhood services in New Zealand.

For course details, ph 0800 223 266 or see www.education.auckland.ac.nz