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).

Regional offices

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 kaiako | teachers to improve programme delivery in the language of the service
• provide incentives to retain kaiako | teachers
• 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.