Full Programme Outline
Click below on our Level 2 and Level 3 outlines to find out more about what we can offer:
Further details for both of these are below - along with information on our two non-assessed life skill courses, Babysitting and Caring for Kids.
Level 2 Early Childhood Learning & Care unit standards (offered in 2023)
Plunket is pleased to offer the following Level 2 early childhood learning and care unit standards on an individual basis.
These are available on a Plunket led, teacher led or single student basis and can establish students on their path way to completing the New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Learning and Care, Level 3.
Please note: Plunket do not offer the complete certificate.
More information on each level 2 unit standard:
Basic needs & nutrition (29852)
7 modules, 4 credits
Considers the basic needs of infants, toddlers and young children [nurturing, clothing, nutrition, sleep, shelter, bathing, cleanliness] in a home setting, how these impact on the health and holistic wellbeing of children and their learning and development. An emphasis on age-related food requirements relevant to healthy eating for children is included.
No practical component required, however the unit complements 29856 well where care practices for infants and toddlers are to be demonstrated.
Useful life skills and for those interested in a career in ECE.
Attachment relationships (29855)
5 modules, 3 credits
Considers secure and insecure patterns of attachment and how caregivers can support transitions for children and their parents.
No practical component required.
Useful life skills and for those interested in a career in ECE.
Caring for Infants and Toddlers (29856)
4 modules, 2 credits
Provides guidelines for hands-on care practices [nurturing, feeding, clothing, toileting, nappy changing, bathing and supporting cleanliness, settling to sleep, communicating] that support the health, wellbeing and development of infants and toddlers.
Practical component: the candidate is to demonstrate 3 care practices with a parent/guardian present.
Suitable to take place in a home; could be in a community playgroup setting or classroom.
Practices are selected with safety in mind [no nappy changing or bathing].
Useful life skills and for those interested in a career in ECE.
Child health & wellbeing (29853)
5 modules, 3 credits
Considers environmental factors that impact of health, community health issues, communicable conditions and diseases, immunisation and disease prevention, child health services, and caring for an unwell child.
No practical component required.
Useful life knowledge, and for those interested in pursuing a career in health or teaching.
Hygiene & safety (29854)
4 modules, 2 credits
Considers personal hygiene practices for adults and children, environmental hygiene, ensuring home safety, and safety outdoors.
Practical activity [children not required] in a home, community playgroup, Sunday school room, classroom or similar. The task involves identifying and remediating hazards.
Learning & development (29857)
6 modules, 5 credits
Provides an introduction to child development, development progressions and milestones [physical, social, emotional, cognitive], reasons for individual differences, speech and language development and ways to support these.
No practical component required.
Play experiences (29858)
7 modules, 5 credits
Considers what play is, the values of play, and creating suitable play environments. Play experiences for infants, toddlers and young children are considered. Candidates create simple resources to support play.
Practical component: candidates plan and implement 2 play experiences for an infant, toddler or young child with consideration to health, safety, play value in terms of supporting learning and development. This can be completed in a home, community playgroup or the classroom. Attestation must be provided by a parent, caregiver or teacher/educator
Relationships & behaviour (29860)
6 modules, 6 credits
Addresses developing relationships with adults in learning and care situations [active listening, empathy, communicating information, conflict resolution], strategies to help build relationships with children, understanding children’s behaviour including challenging behaviour, useful strategies and skills, and helpful services.
Practical component: the candidate needs to join in with a child’s play and use two strategies to build a relationship. This could take place in a home, community playgroup, or classroom.
Support services (29861)
5 modules, 3 credits
Considers government and non-government agencies and services that provide support for families; financial literacy in terms of how things work in NZ [tax, credit cards, debt, Kiwisaver, saving]; budgeting, the cost of living and raising a child, personal needs, goal setting and helpful services.
No practical requirement.
Excellent life skills unit.
Level 3 Early Childhood Education & Care unit standards (offered in 2023)
Plunket is pleased to offer the following Level 3 early childhood education and care unit standards on an individual basis.
These are available on a Plunket led, teacher led or single student basis.
Please note Plunket do not offer the complete certificate.
More information on each level 3 unit standard:
Te Whāriki (10013)
4 modules, 2 credits
Considers the history and purposes of the ECE curriculum, its bi-cultural foundation, and the principles and strands kaiako draw upon when building a responsive curriculum.
No required practicum
Useful baseline unit for those interested in a career in ECE.
Learning & development (10026)
7 modules, 5 credits
Considers dimensions of child development including physical, cognitive, social, emotional, spiritual, cultural and linguistic; developmental achievements, the influence of environmental factors, and supporting oral and visual literacies.
No practicum required.
Some similar content to level 2 however the dimensions are addressed in greater depth and situated in an ECE environment.
Play in ECE services (26707)
7 modules, 4 credits
Considers the value of play, suitable environments and resources for play; how play experiences contribute to the learning and development of infants, toddlers and young children, the importance of interactions, and safety precautions. Candidates create 3 resources for play.
A practical requirement involves the candidate using one of the play resources they have created with a child in an ECE service and evaluating it in terms of supporting learning and development, cultural suitability and health and safety. Attestation of the resources use must be provided.
Some similarities to level 2 but in greater depth and situated in an ECE setting.
Attachment & transitions (29864)
5 modules, 3 credits
Considers theoretical perspectives related to attachment, patterns of secure and insecure attachment, the importance of building key relationships in the ECE service and supporting children through transitions in the ECE service in collaboration with families.
No practicum required.
A significantly more complex unit than at level 2. Useful for those considering career paths in teaching, social work or psychology.
Safety (10019)
6 modules, 3 credits
Considers regulatory requirements pertaining to safety, minimising hazards, emergency procedures, environmental hygiene, and the adult’s role in supporting children to use safe practices.
Practicum required: the candidate needs to demonstrate the use of strategies that assist a child to use safe practices.
Attestation must be provided.
Situated in ECE service so a differing emphasis to level 2.
Health & wellbeing (29865)
6 modules, 4 credits
Considers social, economic and cultural factors that influence child health, community health services, health issues, communicable conditions and diseases, immunisation issues and programmes, children’s essential needs and the role of both families and the ECE service.
No practical requirement.
Similar to level 2 but more detail regarding environmental factors, wellbeing, and the role of families and ECE services in protecting children’s health and wellbeing.
Excellent for those considering a career in nursing, social work or ECE.
Nutrition (29866)
5 modules, 2 credits
Considers the nutritional needs of infants, toddlers and young children, special dietary requirements, and menu planning in ECE services.
Practical component required. The candidate is to prepare and serve a meal suitable for a toddler or young child.
Builds on the level 2 nutrition component in basic needs but related to ECE services.
Relationships (26708)
6 modules, 4 credits
Addresses strategies that help adults build relationships with children and guide their behaviour.
Practicum required. The candidate must use strategies repeatedly over a period of at least 4 weeks and evaluate their use of these.
Attestation is required.
A supportive practicum placement is necessary.
Diversity & communication (29867)
5 modules, 5 credits
Considers a range of family types, and cultural diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand. Strategies and resources that help kaiako support the cultural identity of children attending an ECE service are examined. Effective communication strategies to use with diverse families are introduced.
Practical component: the candidate must use 3 different communication strategies. These are to be demonstrated in a simulated situation to respond to given scenarios. Attestation is required.
Professional behaviour & wellbeing (29868)
5 modules, 4 credits
Considers professional behaviours [useful for any work environment], Our Code, Our Standards, self-care skills and personal goal setting to enhance areas of own health and wellbeing in an ECE service.
Practicum required: the candidate must demonstrate 5 professional behaviours repeatedly over a period of at least 3 weeks and demonstrate strategies to support 3 personal goals repeatedly. Demonstration must be attested.
An excellent life skills unit. A supportive practicum placement is necessary.
Ethics in an ECE service (29869)
4 modules, 3 credits
Considers personal and professional values and how the code of professional responsibility guides the decision making and behaviour of kaiako. Ethical and unethical behaviour is reflected upon and a framework for responding to ethical dilemmas suggested.
No practical requirement.
Philosophies & services (29871)
5 modules, 3 credits
Considers the diverse ECE service types in NZ and the differing needs they meet. The history of services and their philosophies is also addressed.
No practical requirement.
A useful unit to introduce candidates to ECE services in NZ.