Programme highlights
Get the skills and knowledge necessary for becoming a proficient educator.
On completion of this programme you will be able to provide and support the education and care of infants, toddlers, and young children in a range of early childhood contexts.
Students learn about early childhood education and curriculum in Aotearoa, human development and learning, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori, belonging and well-being and professional relationships.
Spend up to three days a week learning with a blend of classroom and online experiences and activities. You will also spend two days per week (12 hours) in an early childhood centre where you will apply classroom theory to practical scenarios.
In Semester 1 you will spend one week full time (35 hours) in your home centre. In Semester 2 you will also experience a three-week full-time (105 hours) placement in another early childhood setting. This placement will be organised by the School of Education Practicum co-ordinator. Get real experience working in an early childhood setting with four weeks of full-time placement.
On successful completion of the diploma programme, you will be eligible under specified criteria, to pathway into the second year of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) (Level 7).
This programme has been developed to align with the first year of our Bachelor of Education (ECT) Degree. This programme does not lead to teacher registration, but it may provide opportunities for graduates, under specified criteria, to pathway into the second year of the degree. Students wanting to pathway to our Level 7 ECE initial teacher education qualification will need to; successfully complete this programme and meet all other entry criteria of the degree, including being interviewed and supplying new referee reports,??and those who are EAL achieving Academic IELTS 7 in all bands.
Entry requirements
Academic admission requirements
Applicants under 20 years of age: NCEA level 2 or equivalent
Entry over 20 years of age: Applicants who are 20 years of age at the commencement of the programme and have relevant life and/or work experience do not have to meet the minimum academic requirements (with the exception of English Language criteria).
Safety checks
To satisfy the risk assessment and safety check required in compliance with the Vulnerable Children Act (2014) the following requirements are in place:
- Provide a New Zealand Police Check (using the NZ Police and Vetting Consent to Disclosure of Information form) that demonstrates that the applicant has no criminal record and thus meets the requirements to work with at-risk and vulnerable children as required by the Vulnerable Children Act (2014)
- Interviews will be conducted in person. Skype or other electronic means as outlined in the Vulnerable Children Act (2014) will be used where distance is an issue
- Sign a statement agreeing to the release of pertinent information relevant to the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 that a Childcare centre may request
- Provide two satisfactory written referee reports
- Provide one photograph that meets the criteria defined by the New Zealand passport office: https://www.passports.govt.nz/Passport-Photo-Requirements
English language entry requirements
Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient competence in English language and literacy to undertake this programme.
- Applicants for whom English is not their first language (including International students) must demonstrate that they meet an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic version minimum score of 5.5 with nothing lower than 5.0 in all components.
- International students must further meet the English language requirements as specified by NZQA
Exempted case: EAL applicants who have completed the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Professional/Academic) (Level 5) or achieved 10 literacy credits (5 reading and 5 writing) from the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 4).
Applicants who do not meet the IELTS requirement are able to re-apply for future intakes to the programme once this English language requirement has been met.
Give yourself credit with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Did you know you can use the knowledge and experience you already have to your advantage?
Your previous work experience and on-the-job skills, volunteering, professional development, and other providers’ qualifications can be recognised as prior learning, matched against credits in our courses, and put towards your qualification – potentially saving you money and possibly helping you to complete your qualification faster Learn more.
Programme structure
You will need to complete the below five courses (120 credits):
Do you want to study a single course, without enrolling into the full programme?
Courses within some of our programmes may be offered as an individual Certificate of Proficiency (COP). Programme entry requirements and course fees apply. For more information, please speak to our friendly Ask Me! team.
Further training or study
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) (Level 7)
Career opportunities
Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge to work in a range of early childhood contexts, such as centre-based, hospital-based (play specialist assistant), home-based, nanny, parent-led, or culturally-based contexts including Pasifika or Māori. Graduates may provide supervision or guidance of volunteers or other staff, in some early childhood settings.??They may also be involved in voluntary roles in early childhood settings.?For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.
*This programme does not lead to New Zealand Teacher Certification, to gain this you must have a level 7 teaching qualification.
See why more people choose Early childhood at MIT
Considering early childhood at MIT?
“I feel like I can make the world and society better.”
“I want to become a qualified teacher, to have more knowledge to support children in early childhood, That’s the purpose I wanted to pursue. Early childhood education is regarded as a key factor in a child’s growth development and shaping their futures. I chose this course because I feel like I can make the world and society better for future generations.??
The support from the teachers and my centre teachers to actively help me with this course, and help with assignments, has been the best part of my student journey at MIT. I feel like I have a lot of support, and without them, I couldn’t reach where I am right now.??
I’m originally from China, a lot of students studying are from different cultures and backgrounds. MIT accepts everyone and they give everyone equal education, and I think that’s unique. There are not too many male students in the class, I feel really proud of myself to be one of them.”
Lu Lu
MIT student
“Our students get snapped up and employed well before they finish.”
“We have early childhood programmes from level four to level seven, including a 6-month certificate, a one-year diploma, and a three-year bachelor of education. All are field-based, which means students are learning in centres as well as in our classrooms, – this is almost like doing a practical job interview. Centres can’t wait to employ our students, so they often get snapped up and employed well before they finish.??
What’s beneficial about the suite of programmes we have in early childhood is, students who potentially haven’t enjoyed school, or maybe didn’t attain the required NCEA literacy credits or UE, there are still other pathways for them into the programmes. There are lots of alternate ways that we can assist students to help them pursue ECE.??
So, if you’re thinking of studying early childhood education, if you’re passionate about working with children, and if you’re passionate about pursuing a career that leads to practical job skills, then MIT is the place for you. We have classes, you’re not sitting in a lecture theatre with 100 other people. We want to personalise your learning journey. Part of that is getting to know you well, but also having the opportunity for you to know us too.????
What I love about the school is a lot of our teachers are graduates of our program. I’m a graduate of the early childhood program. I came back here because I love this place. You really develop a sense of belonging here that this is your place. Many of the team have studied here, they’re always researching, finding the best ways of teaching, engaging the community, making sure they are staying current and active as well as teaching subjects they are passionate about. I think that’s a big drawcard for any student who would want to come to MIT because we want to be able to provide them with not only the best experience but the best teaching.”
Kylie Smith
Head of school – education
“You will never be supported as much as this place.”
“I have a passion for working with children. I have worked with children for a while and I thought getting qualified would give me more knowledge and techniques to do better in my job. I also have children and this journey has really helped me to become a better person as well.
I thought MIT would be the best choice for me because I was close to home and it turns out it was the best choice that I made. The support is amazing. The lecturers are very approachable, the environment, the people that you work with, it’s got a very family approach. I love it. The lecturers are always there when you need them. They’re always there to guide you, nurture you, and send you in the right direction.??
What I enjoyed the most here is getting to work together with my group, my peers, we get a lot of interaction. We help each other a lot. I didn’t have that support before and I’m really glad that I have chosen MIT.??
MIT is very hands-on, so when you finish here there’s not much change or difference when you go into the workplace. You just fit in because you’ve already gained the knowledge and what is happening in the field because of what you’ve already done in the classroom. I just blend in with all the other qualified teachers, because that’s what MIT has equipped me with. You will never be supported as much as this place.
This qualification will take me anywhere. My dream job is to become a tertiary lecturer. I know this qualification will take me there because of what I have learnt from the lecturers. They give me so much support, they give so much energy, and the knowledge is just impeccable. I know it will take me a long way, I have no doubt.”
Alisi Latu
MIT student
In the news: MIT helps to meet demand for early childhood educators.
Manukau Institute of Technology is committed to providing opportunities to a greater number in the community through blended learning programmes that allow students to balance work and study.
A story in the New Zealand Herald highlighted a shortage of qualified early childhood educators, noting that the early childhood council found 30 percent of childcare centres have unfilled vacancies for qualified teachers this month.
“Demand in Auckland is extremely high,” says Kylie Smith, Head of Education at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT). “Students in our diploma and degree programmes are typically employed before they have completed their studies.”
MIT’s school of education is in close contact with early childhood centres who want students to complete their practical training with them. Many of these placements become full-time jobs.
“The lecturers were hugely supportive. The results have been extremely rewarding.”
“For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, so I could help young children. Studying early childhood teaching at MIT was a great choice. The lecturers were hugely supportive and the combination of practical experience and classroom environment suited how I learn. It also helped me form views on important education issues and my own teaching philosophy.
The results have been extremely rewarding. I now work at a kindergarten – a job I entered with the knowledge and confidence I needed, thanks to my course. My employer has said that like other MIT graduates they have employed, I stood out because of my knowledge, dedication, passion for teaching, and experience which gave me a practical edge. The future has so many possibilities, and I have several exciting ambitions I hope to fulfil.”
Shannon Rollinson
MIT graduate
“I’ve come to MIT because they’re understanding.”
“My dream has always been to become qualified as an early childhood teacher and then own my own centre down the track. I love working with children and seeing them grow and develop into their own people, and I love being a part of that and helping them through their early life.
I have a learning disability and other places have turned me away or not been very supportive of it. So that’s why I’ve come to MIT because they’re understanding. I’ve had extra support if I’ve needed it. They don’t just push you aside because you have a learning disability.
You should come and study at MIT because it’s so much fun. You get the interaction with your friends and you make lifelong friends, great lecturers that help you through everything, and great support. It’s just a great atmosphere to be in.”
Ashlee Davis
MIT student
“Everyone has been really supportive.”
“I’m a stay-at-home mom of six children. I spent a lot of time in the education system with my own children and had the opportunity to come and do relieving at the centre where I work now. After working there for 18 months the other teachers there recommended that I become qualified, partly because it was better for my practice to have that knowledge because I could then cover qualified staff members as well.??
Being at MIT doing this degree has really helped me. It’s given me the confidence to pursue my practice and share my knowledge with others.??
My biggest challenge that I had to overcome was probably time management. I still have children at home, our own business, and I still work. Fitting in study was quite challenging for me in the beginning, but the support from the lecturers and my classmates have made it a lot easier.
The thing that I’ve enjoyed the most about my journey with MIT is the relationships. I’m one of the oldest in my class, but that hasn’t made any difference, everyone has been really supportive and encouraging, including the lecturers.??
The flexible study options offered at MIT have been really invaluable. Being able to attend class but also do them online if need be, and being able to be in contact with the lecturers all the time.??
I think the best thing about a career in early childhood is the children. I absolutely love working with them, they teach me something new every day. It’s pretty hard to have a bad day when you’re working with kids because they always make you laugh.”
Cindy Biddle
MIT student
“MIT is not an institution but it’s more like a home.”
“I chose MIT because of the experiences I had heard from my friends and family who studied there. They told me MIT is all about community and people coming together to help each other succeed to the best of their ability. And they were definitely right, MIT is not an institution but it’s more like a home where the people are like your family who will always be here??to support you.”
Janita Kalolo
MIT graduate
“I would recommend MIT to other people because everyone here is so helpful.”
“The people at MIT are awesome and everything is so easy to access. Studying through COVID has been hard but I enjoyed being in the centers and doing practicum with the kids.
I would recommend MIT to other people because everyone here is so helpful and everything is so easy to access.”
Troy Mathew Herdson
MIT graduate
“I’ve loved my journey here.”
“I chose early childhood education because I love being with children, and since I grew up with little siblings, it was enjoyable to spend my time with little kids and to see them grow.??
I travel to MIT from Huntly because I really enjoy the environment here, and how the lecturers support me to achieve my goal of being qualified. MIT stands out because of the hands-on experience we get. The staff and lecturers here are very helpful and supportive.???
I enjoy how MIT has set out our assessments as practicums, we go out on field-based hours which has encouraged me and given me the confidence to become an early childhood teacher.??
The advice I would give to someone studying at MIT would be don’t be nervous because you have a very supportive team at MIT to help you out.”
Manisha Singh
MIT student
“I love that we’re family, we care about each other.”
“I’m international, English is not my first language, but I don’t feel like I’m an international student. I feel like I’m part of the rest of the students.
The teachers have helped me a lot. I love that MIT provides lots of theoretical knowledge and real work experience. I started as a volunteer at a centre and they saw my potential with the children, so they offered me a job. I’m working as a teacher and doing my MIT practicum at the same time. You see how it looks to be a full-time teacher, so it’s amazing.??
MIT is unique and different because of the environment, and the care of the teachers. The lecturers help us through everything that we do, and I love that. I love that we’re family, we care about each other. That’s the most amazing thing about MIT.??
I’ve been able to have balance in my life, to be able to come to MIT to study because for two days a week we are in class, the other two days at the centre, and then one day I have time to work on my assessments.??
I believe that the first years of a person life are the most important. I’m taking care of those few years for them to be great people in the future. I’m doing something for the community.??
When I graduate, I want to be the manager of my own centre.”
Maria Paula Peralta
MIT student
“At MIT you get to have one-on-one interactions and they really give you the time and help you need.”
“My experience at MIT has been good. I got along with all my lecturers, and they were all really nice. At MIT you get to have one-on-one interactions and they really give you the time and help you need.
To anyone thinking about studying here, I would say give it a go. You can achieve so much.”
Rebecca Joyce Gielen
MIT graduate
“We’re just like a family.”
“I chose to study early childhood education because I’ve always had a passion for working with kids and now that my children are older, I have the chance to do it. I did the certificate in early childhood education when I was 19, and then I went and had my own children. I’ve come back to complete the degree.??
I like that at MIT you do practicum and theory. Every week we’re doing two days in the centre, which makes it easy to put what we’re learning in class,??into action in the centre.??
All of the lecturers I feel like really care about us like they want to see us succeed. They’re always there helping and doing everything that they can.??
What I enjoy the most at MIT is being in the classroom environment, being with peers, bouncing ideas off each other, and talking about what was done in practicum. The relationships and the friendships that I’ve made while studying make MIT a really enjoyable place to study. We’re just like a family here.??
Once I finish my studies at MIT, I will be a qualified early childhood educator. Which will lead me to be able to work in any early childhood centre, possibly management and owning my own centre.??
If you’re considering studying early childhood at MIT, just do it.”
Monique Cowie
MIT student
“You can pursue higher education.”
“I chose to study ECE because I love children and I’ve always known that I wanted to work with children from a really young age.??
My family knew that I’ve always wanted to be a teacher so they have always supported me and encouraged me to pursue higher education, even though I did leave school early from an accident at 16. My number one priority is to get an education and make sure that I can provide a better life for my family and the family that I will have in the future.??
To anyone that has left school early, just know that you can pursue higher education, there are no limits on that, just believe in yourself and always strive for better. Just go for it and never let anything hold you back would be my advice to someone that wants to study at MIT.
I want to own my own centre – that is the end goal for me.”
Steffi Webb-Butler
MIT student
“I’ve had such an amazing experience here.”
“I chose early childhood because I really love working with children, and I wanted a job where I could really make a difference in people’s lives.??
What I really loved about studying here at MIT is that not only were we in class learning the theory, but we were taking it straight back into our centres and applying it to the work that we were doing every day. I think that has been so beneficial for me. I’ve been able to learn so much theory to back up my practice, to take it straight into my centre and apply it to working with the children.??
The thing that I really found unique about MIT was the support that they offer, as well as the cultural perspectives that we get here at MIT. I’ve learned so much about not only myself and my culture, but many other cultures and how to incorporate that into my practice.??
Our class sizes have been small enough that we have one-on-one time with our lecturers, but big enough that we are able to learn from each other. I love my placements, they’ve been so incredibly beneficial. I’ve been able to see different philosophies and practice from other early childhood teachers. I’ve been able to take so many skills from those experiences.
I’ve had such an amazing experience here and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve learnt so much about early childhood, myself, and I’ve gained lifelong friendships.”
Victoria Verissimo
MIT student
“There’s a lot of support from your lecturers.”
“I decided to study at MIT because I heard some great things from my friends who studied here.
They enjoyed their time here and I knew I would too. There’s a lot of support from your lecturers and I met heaps of new people and made lifelong friends.”
Laura Casilang
MIT graduate
“My lecturers inspired me to do my best”.
“I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was a child, and I chose to study at MIT because my beliefs aligned with the course.??
I enjoyed the lectures and small classes. MIT is like a family. My lecturers inspired me to do my best and push through any challenges.??
With my qualification, I was able to get a part-time job through my practicum.
My advice if you want to study in this field is, even when it gets hard, keep pushing because it’s all worth it in the end.”
Jordan Murdoch
MIT graduate
Considering early childhood at MIT?
“I feel like I can make the world and society better.”
“I want to become a qualified teacher, to have more knowledge to support children in early childhood, That’s the purpose I wanted to pursue. Early childhood education is regarded as a key factor in a child’s growth development and shaping their futures. I chose this course because I feel like I can make the world and society better for future generations.??
The support from the teachers and my centre teachers to actively help me with this course, and help with assignments, has been the best part of my student journey at MIT. I feel like I have a lot of support, and without them, I couldn’t reach where I am right now.??
I’m originally from China, a lot of students studying are from different cultures and backgrounds. MIT accepts everyone and they give everyone equal education, and I think that’s unique. There are not too many male students in the class, I feel really proud of myself to be one of them.”
Lu Lu
MIT student
“Our students get snapped up and employed well before they finish.”
“We have early childhood programmes from level four to level seven, including a 6-month certificate, a one-year diploma, and a three-year bachelor of education. All are field-based, which means students are learning in centres as well as in our classrooms, – this is almost like doing a practical job interview. Centres can’t wait to employ our students, so they often get snapped up and employed well before they finish.??
What’s beneficial about the suite of programmes we have in early childhood is, students who potentially haven’t enjoyed school, or maybe didn’t attain the required NCEA literacy credits or UE, there are still other pathways for them into the programmes. There are lots of alternate ways that we can assist students to help them pursue ECE.??
So, if you’re thinking of studying early childhood education, if you’re passionate about working with children, and if you’re passionate about pursuing a career that leads to practical job skills, then MIT is the place for you. We have classes, you’re not sitting in a lecture theatre with 100 other people. We want to personalise your learning journey. Part of that is getting to know you well, but also having the opportunity for you to know us too.????
What I love about the school is a lot of our teachers are graduates of our program. I’m a graduate of the early childhood program. I came back here because I love this place. You really develop a sense of belonging here that this is your place. Many of the team have studied here, they’re always researching, finding the best ways of teaching, engaging the community, making sure they are staying current and active as well as teaching subjects they are passionate about. I think that’s a big drawcard for any student who would want to come to MIT because we want to be able to provide them with not only the best experience but the best teaching.”
Kylie Smith
Head of school – education
“You will never be supported as much as this place.”
“I have a passion for working with children. I have worked with children for a while and I thought getting qualified would give me more knowledge and techniques to do better in my job. I also have children and this journey has really helped me to become a better person as well.
I thought MIT would be the best choice for me because I was close to home and it turns out it was the best choice that I made. The support is amazing. The lecturers are very approachable, the environment, the people that you work with, it’s got a very family approach. I love it. The lecturers are always there when you need them. They’re always there to guide you, nurture you, and send you in the right direction.??
What I enjoyed the most here is getting to work together with my group, my peers, we get a lot of interaction. We help each other a lot. I didn’t have that support before and I’m really glad that I have chosen MIT.??
MIT is very hands-on, so when you finish here there’s not much change or difference when you go into the workplace. You just fit in because you’ve already gained the knowledge and what is happening in the field because of what you’ve already done in the classroom. I just blend in with all the other qualified teachers, because that’s what MIT has equipped me with. You will never be supported as much as this place.
This qualification will take me anywhere. My dream job is to become a tertiary lecturer. I know this qualification will take me there because of what I have learnt from the lecturers. They give me so much support, they give so much energy, and the knowledge is just impeccable. I know it will take me a long way, I have no doubt.”
Alisi Latu
MIT student
In the news: MIT helps to meet demand for early childhood educators.
Manukau Institute of Technology is committed to providing opportunities to a greater number in the community through blended learning programmes that allow students to balance work and study.
A story in the New Zealand Herald highlighted a shortage of qualified early childhood educators, noting that the early childhood council found 30 percent of childcare centres have unfilled vacancies for qualified teachers this month.
“Demand in Auckland is extremely high,” says Kylie Smith, Head of Education at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT). “Students in our diploma and degree programmes are typically employed before they have completed their studies.”
MIT’s school of education is in close contact with early childhood centres who want students to complete their practical training with them. Many of these placements become full-time jobs.
“The lecturers were hugely supportive. The results have been extremely rewarding.”
“For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, so I could help young children. Studying early childhood teaching at MIT was a great choice. The lecturers were hugely supportive and the combination of practical experience and classroom environment suited how I learn. It also helped me form views on important education issues and my own teaching philosophy.
The results have been extremely rewarding. I now work at a kindergarten – a job I entered with the knowledge and confidence I needed, thanks to my course. My employer has said that like other MIT graduates they have employed, I stood out because of my knowledge, dedication, passion for teaching, and experience which gave me a practical edge. The future has so many possibilities, and I have several exciting ambitions I hope to fulfil.”
Shannon Rollinson
MIT graduate
“I’ve come to MIT because they’re understanding.”
“My dream has always been to become qualified as an early childhood teacher and then own my own centre down the track. I love working with children and seeing them grow and develop into their own people, and I love being a part of that and helping them through their early life.
I have a learning disability and other places have turned me away or not been very supportive of it. So that’s why I’ve come to MIT because they’re understanding. I’ve had extra support if I’ve needed it. They don’t just push you aside because you have a learning disability.
You should come and study at MIT because it’s so much fun. You get the interaction with your friends and you make lifelong friends, great lecturers that help you through everything, and great support. It’s just a great atmosphere to be in.”
Ashlee Davis
MIT student
“Everyone has been really supportive.”
“I’m a stay-at-home mom of six children. I spent a lot of time in the education system with my own children and had the opportunity to come and do relieving at the centre where I work now. After working there for 18 months the other teachers there recommended that I become qualified, partly because it was better for my practice to have that knowledge because I could then cover qualified staff members as well.??
Being at MIT doing this degree has really helped me. It’s given me the confidence to pursue my practice and share my knowledge with others.??
My biggest challenge that I had to overcome was probably time management. I still have children at home, our own business, and I still work. Fitting in study was quite challenging for me in the beginning, but the support from the lecturers and my classmates have made it a lot easier.
The thing that I’ve enjoyed the most about my journey with MIT is the relationships. I’m one of the oldest in my class, but that hasn’t made any difference, everyone has been really supportive and encouraging, including the lecturers.??
The flexible study options offered at MIT have been really invaluable. Being able to attend class but also do them online if need be, and being able to be in contact with the lecturers all the time.??
I think the best thing about a career in early childhood is the children. I absolutely love working with them, they teach me something new every day. It’s pretty hard to have a bad day when you’re working with kids because they always make you laugh.”
Cindy Biddle
MIT student
“MIT is not an institution but it’s more like a home.”
“I chose MIT because of the experiences I had heard from my friends and family who studied there. They told me MIT is all about community and people coming together to help each other succeed to the best of their ability. And they were definitely right, MIT is not an institution but it’s more like a home where the people are like your family who will always be here??to support you.”
Janita Kalolo
MIT graduate
“I would recommend MIT to other people because everyone here is so helpful.”
“The people at MIT are awesome and everything is so easy to access. Studying through COVID has been hard but I enjoyed being in the centers and doing practicum with the kids.
I would recommend MIT to other people because everyone here is so helpful and everything is so easy to access.”
Troy Mathew Herdson
MIT graduate
“I’ve loved my journey here.”
“I chose early childhood education because I love being with children, and since I grew up with little siblings, it was enjoyable to spend my time with little kids and to see them grow.??
I travel to MIT from Huntly because I really enjoy the environment here, and how the lecturers support me to achieve my goal of being qualified. MIT stands out because of the hands-on experience we get. The staff and lecturers here are very helpful and supportive.???
I enjoy how MIT has set out our assessments as practicums, we go out on field-based hours which has encouraged me and given me the confidence to become an early childhood teacher.??
The advice I would give to someone studying at MIT would be don’t be nervous because you have a very supportive team at MIT to help you out.”
Manisha Singh
MIT student
“I love that we’re family, we care about each other.”
“I’m international, English is not my first language, but I don’t feel like I’m an international student. I feel like I’m part of the rest of the students.
The teachers have helped me a lot. I love that MIT provides lots of theoretical knowledge and real work experience. I started as a volunteer at a centre and they saw my potential with the children, so they offered me a job. I’m working as a teacher and doing my MIT practicum at the same time. You see how it looks to be a full-time teacher, so it’s amazing.??
MIT is unique and different because of the environment, and the care of the teachers. The lecturers help us through everything that we do, and I love that. I love that we’re family, we care about each other. That’s the most amazing thing about MIT.??
I’ve been able to have balance in my life, to be able to come to MIT to study because for two days a week we are in class, the other two days at the centre, and then one day I have time to work on my assessments.??
I believe that the first years of a person life are the most important. I’m taking care of those few years for them to be great people in the future. I’m doing something for the community.??
When I graduate, I want to be the manager of my own centre.”
Maria Paula Peralta
MIT student
“At MIT you get to have one-on-one interactions and they really give you the time and help you need.”
“My experience at MIT has been good. I got along with all my lecturers, and they were all really nice. At MIT you get to have one-on-one interactions and they really give you the time and help you need.
To anyone thinking about studying here, I would say give it a go. You can achieve so much.”
Rebecca Joyce Gielen
MIT graduate
“We’re just like a family.”
“I chose to study early childhood education because I’ve always had a passion for working with kids and now that my children are older, I have the chance to do it. I did the certificate in early childhood education when I was 19, and then I went and had my own children. I’ve come back to complete the degree.??
I like that at MIT you do practicum and theory. Every week we’re doing two days in the centre, which makes it easy to put what we’re learning in class,??into action in the centre.??
All of the lecturers I feel like really care about us like they want to see us succeed. They’re always there helping and doing everything that they can.??
What I enjoy the most at MIT is being in the classroom environment, being with peers, bouncing ideas off each other, and talking about what was done in practicum. The relationships and the friendships that I’ve made while studying make MIT a really enjoyable place to study. We’re just like a family here.??
Once I finish my studies at MIT, I will be a qualified early childhood educator. Which will lead me to be able to work in any early childhood centre, possibly management and owning my own centre.??
If you’re considering studying early childhood at MIT, just do it.”
Monique Cowie
MIT student
“You can pursue higher education.”
“I chose to study ECE because I love children and I’ve always known that I wanted to work with children from a really young age.??
My family knew that I’ve always wanted to be a teacher so they have always supported me and encouraged me to pursue higher education, even though I did leave school early from an accident at 16. My number one priority is to get an education and make sure that I can provide a better life for my family and the family that I will have in the future.??
To anyone that has left school early, just know that you can pursue higher education, there are no limits on that, just believe in yourself and always strive for better. Just go for it and never let anything hold you back would be my advice to someone that wants to study at MIT.
I want to own my own centre – that is the end goal for me.”
Steffi Webb-Butler
MIT student
“I’ve had such an amazing experience here.”
“I chose early childhood because I really love working with children, and I wanted a job where I could really make a difference in people’s lives.??
What I really loved about studying here at MIT is that not only were we in class learning the theory, but we were taking it straight back into our centres and applying it to the work that we were doing every day. I think that has been so beneficial for me. I’ve been able to learn so much theory to back up my practice, to take it straight into my centre and apply it to working with the children.??
The thing that I really found unique about MIT was the support that they offer, as well as the cultural perspectives that we get here at MIT. I’ve learned so much about not only myself and my culture, but many other cultures and how to incorporate that into my practice.??
Our class sizes have been small enough that we have one-on-one time with our lecturers, but big enough that we are able to learn from each other. I love my placements, they’ve been so incredibly beneficial. I’ve been able to see different philosophies and practice from other early childhood teachers. I’ve been able to take so many skills from those experiences.
I’ve had such an amazing experience here and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve learnt so much about early childhood, myself, and I’ve gained lifelong friendships.”
Victoria Verissimo
MIT student
“There’s a lot of support from your lecturers.”
“I decided to study at MIT because I heard some great things from my friends who studied here.
They enjoyed their time here and I knew I would too. There’s a lot of support from your lecturers and I met heaps of new people and made lifelong friends.”
Laura Casilang
MIT graduate
“My lecturers inspired me to do my best”.
“I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was a child, and I chose to study at MIT because my beliefs aligned with the course.??
I enjoyed the lectures and small classes. MIT is like a family. My lecturers inspired me to do my best and push through any challenges.??
With my qualification, I was able to get a part-time job through my practicum.
My advice if you want to study in this field is, even when it gets hard, keep pushing because it’s all worth it in the end.”
Jordan Murdoch
MIT graduate
