In order to operate, a licensed or certificated early learning service must meet or exceed the rules governing early childhood education.
The Ministry of Education uses licensing and assessment criteria to determine if a service meets the requirements set out in the Education Act and corresponding regulations.
Download the appropriate licensing criteria. The information in these booklets covers the minimum standards that all ECE centres are required to comply with.
- Download: Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education & Care Services 2008
- Download: Licensing Criteria for Home-based Education & Care Services 2008
Read and study both of them. In the following activity, we'll ask you to think and reflect on them.
The documents are broken into 4 sections:
- Curriculum
- Premises and Facilities
- Health and Safety
- Governance, Management and Administration.
Activity - Licensing criteria
Use this template to complete the first two activities below.
1. Paraphrase
Take time to read through each of the four sections within both licensing criteria documents. Put the key ideas in your own words for each one.
2. Compare to your workplace
Consider your own place of work and how these requirements are implemented. Indicate the required documentation that your centre uses. Are all the criteria being followed? Do you think anything needs more attention? Don't worry, we won't tell — you can be honest.
3. Reflection
Why do you think Aotearoa, NZ has licensing criteria and guidelines? Are they beneficial or do you think they put unnecessary constraints on ECE providers? Spend some time writing your thoughts and why you think they are important or not important. Your tutor will lead a discussion about this, and you are encouraged to share those thoughts with the class.
