ECE Funding Handbook

Welcome to the ECE Funding Handbook. This handbook is issued under section 548(5) of the Education and Training Act 2020.

Funding of certain services and certified playgroups – NZ Legislation(external link)

The funding paid to licensed services is paid subject to the terms and conditions set out under this handbook and must be complied with. The terms used in this handbook are based in the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008.

This handbook is designed to be a 'one-stop-shop' of everything you need to know about early childhood funding, including:

  • the ECE Funding Subsidy
  • 20 Hours ECE funding
  • equity funding
  • the annual top-up for isolated services

This information does not apply to certificated playgroups

The information in the Funding Handbook does not apply to certificated playgroups.

These services should contact their Ministry regional office for further information.

Local Ministry offices

Download the ECE Funding Handbook

If you would like to print a copy of this handbook, refer to the list of downloads in the contents section where you will find downloadable PDF versions of each chapter.

ECE Funding Handbook downloads

7-6 Substitute days and hours

A Symbol Books

  • Introduction

    • Services can get special permission to be open at times for which they are not usually licensed. This can be for a substitute day, or a number of substitute hours.

      For the definition of a ‘substitute day’ refer to the Glossary in this Handbook.

  • Examples

    • A service might request a substitute session when their afternoon session conflicts with a community event (e.g. the A&P show).

      A service might request a substitute day when there is a special event or hui taking place.

  • Funding

    • Funding is only available for a substitute day or hours if approved by the Ministry regional office. You must keep a copy of the regional office approval letter at the service and this must be available on request to authorised persons.

      Funding for a substitute day or hours is on the basis of attendance only.

      Attendance must be recorded as casual because attendance on this day will differ from the child's permanent enrolment agreement.

      Absences cannot be claimed for children who do not attend the substitute day or hours.

  • Recording substitute days

    • Record the FCH for the substitute session on the day on which it would normally have taken place. See the following example in which an afternoon session which normally takes place on a Friday (180 FCH) is run on the Thursday afternoon as an approved substitute day. The 180 FCH is still recorded on the Friday as usual.

      Funded child hours