Licensing criteria for ECE services

The rules governing early childhood education in New Zealand.

Level of complianceMain audienceOther

Required

  • All Early Learning Services
  • Service Managers
  • Parents, Caregivers and Whānau
  • Educators, Teachers and Kaiako

In order to operate, a licensed or certificated early learning service must meet or exceed the rules governing early childhood education. 

The Ministry of Education uses licensing criteria to determine if a service meets the requirements set out in the Education Act and corresponding regulations.

Read the different licensing / certification criteria for different service types:

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