Mā te whiritahi, ka whakatutuki ai ngā pūmanawa ā tāngata Together weaving the realisation of potential
Welcome to Early Childhood Education
Leadership, Management and Administration
This site aims to bring together all the information the Ministry of Education provides to support the leadership, management and administration of early childhood education services. Alongside that information are useful links to other government agencies and services. In time, opportunities for you to contribute and discuss the issues you believe are important will be provided.
Review of 2008 Regulations – announcement of changes
On 1 July 2009, the Minister announced the Government’s decisions on changes to the regulations and licensing criteria. The Minister’s media release is available.
These changes are the result of the review of the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 that the Minister of Education announced on 26 November 2008. A Working Group [Word; 23kb] was established to consider the consultation feedback gathered over February-March 2009, and make recommendations to the Minister of Education for her consideration. The Summary report on consultation for sector working group (March 2009) [PDF v1.5; 287kb] and the Report of the sector working group (April 2009) [PDF v1.5; 200kb] can be downloaded here.
The announced changes will come into effect in late August 2009, and this page will be updated when that occurs. A fact sheet [Word; 26kb] is available that lists the key changes.
A list of FAQs are now available to download. A series of fact sheets that provide background on the 2008 regulatory system and changes for each service type will follow.
ECE Funding Rates
Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced new funding rates for all early childhood services effective 1 July 2009.
Air Quality
In April 2009 the Auckland Regional Public Health Service released a position statement on air quality and early childhood education services.
The Ministry is working with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for the Environment to determine an appropriate national response to air quality and early childhood education services.
In the interim, the Ministry will continue to consider health reports on a case-by-case basis when licensing new services.
If you have any concerns about air quality and your early childhood education service contact your local Ministry of Education office.
Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu Update
The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the spread of Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu in New Zealand and general updates are posted on the Ministry of Health website.
A Pandemic Planning Kit can be found on the Ministry of Education website.
The links above outline the essential steps that an early childhood education service will need to take to minimise risks particularly given that children may have been in affected areas during the recent holiday break.
If you are concerned and would like further information contact your GP in the first instance, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Good to know
On 31 January 2009 the Minister of Education changed the name of 20 Hours Early Childhood Education (20 Hours ECE) to better reflect the intent of the programme. The Minister also removed the need for parents to complete a separate attestation form in order to enrol their child in the programme. 20 Hours ECE combined enrolment and attestation form can be downloaded here [Word; 112kb]. On 31 January 2009 the Minister of Education also confirmed her intention to improve the adult:child ratio for children under the age of two. As a result, the changes to ratios planned by the previous government will not come into effect in July 2009 and current age bands will remain in place.
Download application forms for this year's study grants and incentive grants.
In September 2008 The Ministry of Health introduced a new health initiative for children turning four called the B4 School Check.
Find out what First Aid Qualification you need to meet Ministry of Education First Aid requirements.
