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Title / Critically examine professional ethical practice in teaching Pasifika children in an ECE service
Level / 6 / Credits / 10
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard, in the context of an early childhood education (ECE) service with Pasifika children, are able to: demonstrate knowledge of theCode of Ethics for Registered Teachers and how this is used; explain the impact of early childhood regulations in relation to ethical dilemmas; and critically examine own role when faced with an ethical dilemma.
Classification / PacificIslands Early Childhood Education > Pacific Early Childhood Education: Curriculum
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1This unit standard is intended for those who are trainee managers or supervisors of Pasifika children in an ECE service.
2Three 'broad age groups' are defined in Te Whāriki for children. These are overlapping age categories and aredefined as:
infant – birth to 18 months;
toddler – one year to three years;
young child – two and a half years to school entry age.
Evidence in this unit standard is for children as a whole group. Each of the age categories are not intended to be assessed individually.
3An early childhood education (ECE) service may include a centre-based service, hospital-based service, or home-based service. The home-based service may be nominated by the child’s parent, be the child’s own home, or the home of the educator.
Evidence of one type of service is required in this unit standard.
4People seeking credit for this unit standard will be required to show that their demonstration of the evidence requirements arises from teaching and/or practicum experience in an ECE service, through observing and implementing Te Whāriki and current legislative requirements relating to curriculum.
5Definitions
Ethical dilemmas refer to conflict between two or more core values; for example: personal values, beliefs or attitudes versus professional values; and legal requirements versus professional values.
Pasifika children are pre-school members of Pasifika communities in New Zealand, may include but are not limited to – Cook Islands Māori, Fijian, Niuean, Samoan, Tokelauan, Tongan, Tuvaluan.
6Legislation and regulatory framework includes but is not limited to:
Care of Children Act 2004
Education Act 1989
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
Human Rights Act 1993
Vulnerable Children Act 2014
and subsequent amendments.
7References
Education Council New Zealand, The Education Council Code of Ethics for Certificated Teachers; available at
Ministry of Education, Licensing criteria for ECE services; available at
Ministry of Education, Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa. Early Childhood Curriculum (Wellington, Learning Media, 1996); available at
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge ofthe Code of Ethics for Registered Teachers and how this is used with Pasifika children in an ECE service.
Evidence requirements
1.1The purpose of codes of ethics in ECE services is described.
1.2The Registered Teachers Code of Ethics is examined in terms of its implementation with Pasifika children.
1.3Special ethical considerations when working in services with Pasifika children are examined with regard to the values of Pasifika children’s families.
Outcome 2
Explain the impact of early childhood regulations in relation to ethical dilemmas with Pasifika childrenin an ECE service.
Rangeevidence of two ethical dilemmas is required.
Evidence requirements
2.1Relevant early childhood regulations are described and how they impact on professional behaviour of early childhood practitioners is explained in relation to ethical dilemmas in with Pasifika childrenin an ECE service.
2.2The impact of relevant early childhood regulations on possible ethical dilemmas in an ECE service with Pasifika children from different cultural backgrounds is described.
Rangeevidence of two different cultural backgrounds is required.
Outcome 3
Critically examine own role when faced with an ethical dilemma in an ECE service with Pasifika children.
Evidence requirements
3.1At least two examples of ethical dilemmas as a result of differences between an ECE service’s ethical requirements and own values are examined.
Rangeown values include – personal experiences, ethnicity, culture, and upbringing.
3.2Own practice and strategies for handling potential or actual ethical tensions that may arise are examined.
Rangetwo strategies to address concerns of a Pasifika family or families and communities in one or more cases of ethical dilemmas (real or simulated situations).
Planned review date / 31 December 2019Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 30 August 2002 / 31 December 2016
Review / 2 / 9 December 2010 / 31 December 2017
Revision / 3 / 8 December 2011 / N/A
Rollover and Revision / 4 / 20 August 2015 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0182
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact NZQA National Qualifications Services if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZQA National Qualifications ServicesSSB Code 130301 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018