Starting a home-based ECE service

This is a guide for service providers interested in establishing a licensed home-based education and care service.

Early childhood education and care regulations

Licensed home-based education and care services are required to comply with the legislative and regulatory standards and criteria set out in the:

Education and Training Act 2020(external link)
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008(external link)
Licensing Criteria for Home-based Education and Care Services 2008

A licensed home-based service is eligible to receive government funding, and must comply with the Ministry of Education funding rules in order to do so.

The quality of the education and care provided by the service is also reviewed regularly by the Education Review Office(external link).

Service providers can talk to their local Ministry of Education staff to request the licensing assessment tool for home-based ECE services or find out more about ECE regulations and criteria.