ECE Funding Handbook

Welcome to the ECE Funding Handbook. This handbook is issued under section 548(5) of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Funding of certain services and certified playgroups – NZ Legislation(external link)

The funding paid to licensed services is paid subject to the terms and conditions set out under this handbook and must be complied with. The terms used in this handbook are based in the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008.

This handbook is designed to be a 'one-stop-shop' of everything you need to know about early childhood funding, including:

  • the ECE Funding Subsidy
  • 20 Hours ECE funding
  • equity funding
  • the annual top-up for isolated services

This information does not apply to certificated playgroups

The information in the Funding Handbook does not apply to certificated playgroups.

These services should contact their Ministry regional office for further information.

Local Ministry offices

Download the ECE Funding Handbook

If you would like to print a copy of this handbook, refer to the list of downloads in the contents section where you will find downloadable PDF versions of each chapter.

ECE Funding Handbook downloads

10-4 Component C: Language and culture other than English (including sign language)

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  • Description

    • Component C: Language and culture other than English (including sign language) provides targeted funding to support those services providing bicultural/immersion education and care programmes.

  • Eligibility

    • Licensed ECE services are eligible for funding under this component if they provide early childhood education in a language and culture other than English (including sign language) during more than half of the formal education and care programme.

      A service qualifies where staff (both paid and unpaid):

      • plan and evaluate the curriculum for children using the kaupapa/cultural framework associated with the main language of communication and
      • deliver the curriculum for children using the main language of communication.

      Staff (either paid or unpaid) who are only on the premises or involved in administration do not count towards eligibility.

  • Measurement of eligibility

    • Eligibility is determined through an attestation process.

      Services are required to contact the Ministry if there is any subsequent drop in the use of the main language or if there are changes to the cultural nature of the education programme provided.

  • Funding calculation

    • Funding is a fixed monthly grant. It is not related to the size of the service, nor the number of funded child hours claimed.

  • Applications

    • Applications for Component C require attestation. Services that believe they are eligible for this component should complete the EC15 Language and Culture other than English (including sign language) Form.

      The EC15 Form is available from your Ministry regional office, or from the Resourcing Division Contact Centre on 0800 ECE ECE (0800 323 323).

      Once completed, forms should be returned to the Resourcing Division Contact Centre.

  • Expenditure

    • All Equity Funding is ‘tagged’ and must be spent with the equity objectives for participation and quality in mind.

      Below are some suggestions for uses of Component C funding:

      • support teachers/kaiako to improve programme delivery in the language of the service
      • provide incentives to retain teachers/kaiako
      • improve staff:child ratios
      • recruit people with relevant language proficiency
      • increase professional development of staff
      • increase whānau-based learning
      • increase language resources
      • pay training fees
      • recruit and retain kaumātua for support and advice
      • provide assistance to attend the service (e.g. transport assistance).

      These are just some of the ways that Component C Equity Funding can be used.