Health report, fire, civil defence and code compliance

At this step the building code compliance and your policies, procedures and processes need to be completed so other authorities can complete their assessments.

Health report

Ministry of Health website or in the white pages.

The Health Report is required documentation that needs to be completed before the Ministry of Education can grant you a probationary licence to operate (see Step 7).

The assessment visit must be carried out when the centre is 'ready for children' i.e. when all resources, furniture and equipment is set up for both indoor and outdoor play.

Resources: The Ministry of Health's Ngā Kupu Oranga: Healthy Messages provides useful information.

Fire

We suggest you:
 
a. Read the New Zealand Fire Service's booklet Evacuation Scheme Application Guide.

b. Develop a fire evacuation scheme for your service. Make sure that the scheme includes fire drills at least once per term. (The Fire Service must be notified of these drills in writing). Visit the New Zealand Fire Service website for more information.

c. Complete an Evacuation scheme application form, available from the New Zealand Fire Service.

d. Apply to the New Zealand Fire Service to have your interim evacuation scheme approved.  Interim fire approval is required documentation that needs to be completed before the Ministry of Education can grant you a probationary licence to operate.

Civil defence

We suggest you:

a. Contact Civil Defence and read their checklists and pamphlets. There is information written especially for ECE services.

b. Use the information in the checklists and pamphlets to ensure that your policies are relevant to the threats in your area.

c. Develop a civil defence kit (including a list of equipment / supplies and dates for replenishment) and civil defence policies and procedures. A good way to replenish this kit annually is by raffling off the previous years supplies in a food hamper.

Resources: Wellington City Council's Emergency Management Office has published Emergency Planning Guide for Childcare Centres [PDF; size 252kb]. This is also available for purchase from the Emergency Management Office.

Code compliance

When building work is complete, ensure you apply to your local council for a Compliance Schedule and, if required for your service, a Schedule of Fitness. Code compliance ensures that the completed building complies with the Building Act. A Code Compliance Certificate must be issued to you before the Ministry of Education can grant you a probationary licence to operate.