These units aim to give students a foundation of knowledge in expected behaviour and practices encountered in education roles. The course covers child development, supporting children in Early Learning Centres, the role of teacher aides, working with special needs students, and adapting resources for inclusion. It is delivered as a STAR course, available to NZ secondary school students through their STAR/Gateway coordinator.

Course Content

• Demonstrate knowledge of mokopuna/children’s holistic development and learning in an early childhood setting (US10026, Level 3, 6 credits)

• Demonstrate knowledge of intellectual disability and the support needs of a person with an intellectual disability (US16870, Level 3, 4 credits)

• Describe physical disability and the support needs of a person with a physical disability (US16871, Level 3, 4 credits)

• Describe autism and support strategies to assist a person with autism (US23374, Level 3, 3 credits)

• Provide support to a person whose behaviour presents challenges in a health or wellbeing setting (US23388, Level 3, 4 credits)

• Describe personal and environmental hygiene and safety practices for the care of young children (US29854, Level 2, 2 credits)

• Describe and reflect on practices to protect and promote the health and holistic wellbeing of young mokopuna/children (US29865, Level 3, 4 credits)

• Demonstrate knowledge of, apply and reflect on age-related nutrition needs for a child in an early childhood setting (US29866, Level 3, 3 credits)