Licensing criteria for home-based ECE services

Section 10 of the Education and Training Act 2020(external link) defines home-based ECE services as the provision of education or care, for gain or reward, to children who are under the age of 5 years, or who are aged 5 years but not enrolled at school, in:

  • the children’s own home; or
  • the home of the person providing the education or care; or
  • any other home nominated by a parent of the children.

These services are licensed in accordance with the Education and Training Act 2020 under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008(external link), which prescribe minimum standards that each licensed service must meet. Licensing criteria are used to assess how the services meet the minimum standards required by the regulations.

For each criterion there is guidance to help services meet the required standards.

The publication of the criteria on its own can be downloaded as a PDF [PDF, 1.3 MB] and printed.

The licensing criteria were last updated in September 2022.

HS3 Nappy changing procedure

  • Criteria
    • Criteria

      Health and Safety practices criterion 3

      A procedure for the changing (and disposal, if appropriate) of nappies is consistently implemented.

      Documentation required:

      A procedure for the changing (and disposal, if appropriate) of nappies that aims to ensure:

      • safe and hygienic practices; and
      • that children are treated with dignity and respect.
      Rationale/Intent:

      The criterion aims to maintain general hygiene and children's safety and wellbeing.

      Downloads

      Home-Based Nappy Changing Procedure [DOC, 37 KB]

  • Guidance
    • Guidance

      Any examples in the guidance are provided as a starting point to show how services can meet (or exceed) the requirement. Services may choose to use other approaches better suited to their needs as long as they comply with the criteria.

      A nappy changing procedure helps communicate a service’s expectations about this important care routine to parents/whanau and educators.

      Educators may wish to keep a record of nappy changes for parent’s information.

      Procedures can be developed in a way to facilitate discussion between co-ordinators, educators, and family/ whānau about expectations and responsibilities in each home setting.

      Documentation Guidance:

      A nappy changing procedure could include :

      • Who provides the nappies – the parents or the educator?
      • How often are children’s nappies checked/changed?
      • What hand washing practices are used? If relevant, what practices are used when wearing disposable gloves?
      • How is the nappy changing area cleaned and disinfected? When/how often?
      • How does the Educator interact with children when changing nappies?
      • How are children kept safe from falls or other hazards?
      • How are other children at the home supervised when the educator is changing a nappy?
      • How is ‘solid waste’ disposed of?
      • Are soiled nappies stored and disposed of or given to parents to take home for disposal?
      • If relevant, how are potties stored, used and cleaned?

      A sample procedure template is given Home Based Nappy Changing Procedure.

      For more information, see PF17 – Nappy change facilities.

       

  • Things to consider
    • Things to consider

      Services should consider children with additional needs.

      Older children in nappies need to be encouraged to be as independent as possible:

      • In accessing any changing area/table
      • Dressing themselves
      • Drying themselves
      • In decisions around when nappies are changed.
      • Consider what options to provide where there is a risk of injury to staff (such as lifting heavy or tall children).

      Use the lens of Te Whāriki to review the nappy change procedure, for example:

      • How are children empowered in this routine / care moment?
      • How is independence fostered?
      • How are reciprocal and responsive relationships fostered? i.e. talking to the child about what is happening
      • Is nappy changing an unhurried care moment versus a ‘routine'?