Teacher Education Refresh (TER)
Te Ara Tū Whakaako

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Update your knowledge, refresh your practice and gain or renew your ECE  practising certificate with our teacher refresher course. With no fees, you can study for free. 

The TER programme is currently being provided fees-free until the end of 2024. Beyond that date the continuation of the fees-free initiative is uncertain. As a result of this, until we receive further clarification on funding from the Ministry of Education, we are only accepting expressions of interest for the TER programme for February 2025. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

With the Teacher Education Refresh (TER) course, you will gain current knowledge and experience of early childhood educational theory and practice to obtain or renew your practising certificate from Hapori Matatū Teaching Council. 

The Ministry of Education is funding this TER course in NZ.

The Teacher Education Refresh (TER) programme is for early childhood teachers who do not have a full practising certificate. You need a current practising certificate for most teaching positions in New Zealand. 

The programme may also interest internationally qualified early childhood teachers who want to learn more about the New Zealand environment.

Teacher Education Refresh 

 

TER programme delivery
Te whakatakototanga o te hōtaka

The TER programme comprises four 4-week modules over a 20-week period. This includes three 5-week modules of self-directed online learning and one supervised 4-week practicum module. There are usually two intakes a year in February and July, and the TER course must be completed within a year. The four modules are offered in the sequence below but can be completed out of sequence within 1 year of starting although students can go on hold for up to 1 year.

Programme structure

Practicum: Participants should follow one of two pathways

Option 1:  Practicum-based option
Teachers not currently employed in a full-time teaching position in an ECE service will be required to complete a 4-week practicum in a centre.

Option 2:  Fast-track option
Teachers in full-time permanent or full-time fixed-term teaching positions (minimum 30 hours per week) for 12 months at the time of enrolment will not be required to complete a 4 week practicum in a centre. They will be required to undertake a practicum visit.

Semester 2, 2024

Domestic applications: 24 June 2024

0800 244 532

[email protected] 

The video below is a recording from a virtual open day and may help answer some questions you have.

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Admission requirements
Ngā hiahiatanga tono

You are likely to be required to complete a TER programme if you:

  1. are applying for your first practising certificate and your ITE qualification was completed more than 5 years ago
  2. held a Tōmua (Provisional) practising certificate and you have not taught in the last 5 years
  3. have already held two Tōmua (Provisional) practising certificates and you are applying for a third
  4. are an overseas teacher and your education qualification was completed more than 5 years ago and you have not had significant teaching service in the last 5 years.

You may also be required to undertake a TER if you have held a Tūturu (Full Category One) or Pūmau Full (Category Two) practising certificate but not taught for a length of time.

For most teaching positions in New Zealand, it is a requirement to have a current practising certificate. If you have questions or want to discuss your individual situation, please email [email protected]

All applicants must:

  • undergo a children’s worker safety check as required under the Children’s 2014, including police vetting
  • submit an application to Teaching Council to renew your registration.

There is no set weekly early childhood service attendance requirement for this programme, but spending some time in a centre is recommended, especially if you have not worked as a teacher recently.

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