Starting a home-based ECE service

Home-based education and care differs from other early childhood education (ECE) options because children remain in a home environment. A home-based educator provides full or part day education and care for fewer than 5 children under the age of 6, in private homes. Educators are supervised by coordinators who are qualified and registered early childhood education teachers.

For a home-based service to receive Ministry funding there must be an auditable trail of reciprocity. This means that the…

Children need access to an environment that is 'fit for purpose' – that is, it can support children “to grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society” (Te Whāriki).

Consideration must be given to how the home-based environment would reflect the curriculum framework and support the level of quality education and care required in the…

Managing is doing the day-to-day things at the service in order to fulfil your long-term goals. For example, if you are buying some new books for the children at your service, you are helping to manage their learning needs.

Managing includes such things as:

making sure the regulations are met on a daily basis
preparing budgets and financial accounts
implementing the goals and policies
buying and looking after resources
making sure families and the community are up to date with what is happenin…

One of the advantages of home-based education and care learning environments is that there is already a huge range of valuable learning tools, resources and opportunities available in each home and in the communities around them, for example baking, cooking, gardening, local parks, playgroups and library story times.

These provide some of the resources for the provision of care and education for children enrolled in your service.

It is important to note that the educators in your service are y…

Read about how to apply for a licence for your home-based service below.

PlanningBefore you start, do some research. Look through our information to find out everything from what our requirements are to how to choose your equipment and resources. Doing some research will help you make a plan and decide how to carry it out.

In particular, note that from 1 February 2023, unless excluded, anyone intending to establish a new licensed early childhood service will first need to apply for and be gran…

Do buildings contain hazards such as lead-based paint and asbestos?
Do premises contain potential hazards – for example, leachate, long-life spray, chemical storage or poisonous plants?
Is there adequate lighting and ventilation?
Are the indoor areas of the premises able to maintain a temperature of not less than 16°C?
Are heating fittings safeguarded to prevent harm to children?
Is there adequate means to escape from a fire? How would you deal with an earthquake?
Are the premises safe and clean…

Note the following:

The title of each record below is a guide only. The required content could be set out under different titles, or grouped differently.

All content is required (unless otherwise stated).

The content that is required by the Early Childhood Education Funding Handbook only applies if you claim government funding.

If in any doubt about requirements, check the actual wording in the:

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008.
Licensing Criteria for Home-based Educati…

The aspiration statement and the 4 principles of Te Whāriki underpin all that we do in early childhood education. When providing an enriched environment for children, we must ensure the principles underpin any decisions.

It is vital that educators take opportunities to extend children's thinking and encourage children to have a perception of themselves as explorers - competent, confident learners who ask questions and make discoveries.

Relating equipment to the principles and strands of T…

Is an area available for the restful sleep of children?
Are there toilet and hygienic hand washing and drying facilities?
Is there an area for safe and hygienic nappy changing?
Is there a plumbing fixture (for example, shower, bath) for washing sick or soiled children?
Are there facilities (such as in a kitchen) for hygienic preparation, storage and/or serving of food and drink (as detailed in home-based ECE services criterion PF13)?
Is there a safe and hygienic space for children to sit when ea…

Write a job description for each position, for example educator, coordinator, administration staff, manager. Well written job descriptions that clearly explain what is required and expected of individuals assist the service provider to engage the right person for the job.

See the section on job descriptions for more information.

The example plan has been designed for you to use and change to suit the needs of your service. Alternatively, you could make your own.

An annual plan allows you to easily tick items off as you go and check progress – for example, at monthly management meetings. You can ensure that tasks are spread over the year and in the right order.

Remember this is not an exhaustive plan and the headings may or may not suit your service; it is designed to give you some ideas only.

This list has been included to provide ideas of equipment that home-based service providers may include in their 'resources library' (equipment they can lend to educators). This enables educators to have access to extra equipment to extend children's thinking and learning.

This is a suggested list which is by no means exhaustive. The resources and equipment you may include will be determined in part by the developing interests and passions of the children in your service, and the…

This list has been included to provide ideas of equipment that home-based service providers may include in their 'resources library' (equipment they can lend to educators). This enables educators to have access to extra equipment to extend children's thinking and learning.

This is a suggested list which is by no means exhaustive. The resources and equipment you may include will be determined in part by the developing interests and passions of the children in your service and thei…