Toi Ohomai's first male master of early childhood teaching graduates

Eric Hollis has graduated from Toi Ohomai with a degree in early childhood education. Photo / Stephen Parker

It was a significant day for Eric Hollis who became the first male to graduate from Toi Ohomai with a Masters of Teaching, specialising in early childhood education.

Hayden Howe, 24, joined him as the first male graduate of the Bachelor of Teaching in early childhood education.

Hollis had worked with children all his life and had owned The Ole Schoolhouse for a decade.

The graduation marked the formalisation of his knowledge through a qualification.

"It gave me the confidence to know that the decision-making I take on almost minute by minute, I could have the confidence I was making the right decisions because I studied the theory," he said.

"I wanted to be able to raise the bar for men in education. It's really important we have a balance of men and women working with children. Not just in early childhood but all the way across the board."

Hollis said he was fascinated by children and loved working with them.

"I'm fascinated by the way they grow and engage with the world and wanted to have the theory underpinning it," he said.

"I've been amazed by their ability to learn. They take risks, built their own theories and I love watching that process and not getting in the way of it."

Hollis said he wanted to use his knowledge to improve the centre he runs.

"In my small way I want to make this place the best it can be," he said.

"We're very very hopeful the Government will continue to see the importance of early childhood education and that will be reflected by some increase in funding."