Applying for a probationary licence

At the time when you were preparing policies, procedures and processes you should have applied for a probationary licence using an Application to licence an early childhood service (EC/1Hm). If you have not already sent this application to your local Ministry of Education office, complete the application and send it now.  Include all fully completed documentation required.

Contact your local Ministry office to set a date for your licensing visits. The Ministry uses the application form, the documentation you sent and the licence assessment visit to at least two homes in the service to determine whether your service is ready to be granted a licence.  Please note, the Ministry of Education has 30 working days to grant or refuse to grant a probationary licence. The 30 days begins after the receipt of all completed documentation that is required.

Please note, the Ministry of Education will randomly select two homes to visit during the licence assessment process.  You may find it useful to undertake your own checks of homes used by the service in preparation for the Ministry’s visits. The Ministry’s Licence Assessment Tool for Home-based ECE Services may be a useful reference.  A copy of this can be requested from your local Ministry of Education Office. 

Coordinators should discuss with educator what is required to be ready for children and their families to attend.

Ensure the services local contact person and key staff are available during the Ministry’s licence assessment check.

You need to allow at least 5 working days for the Ministry to prepare and send out the licence.

Full licence

A full licence application must be made within 12 months of gaining a probationary licence. Please contact your local office when your service is ready to complete a full licence check. During the full licence check the Ministry of Education will assess policies, practices and curriculum implementation in action.