ECE Funding Handbook

Welcome to the Early Childhood Funding Handbook. This Funding Handbook is issued under section 548(5) of the Education and Training Act 2020(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’ for all you need to know about early childhood funding, including:

the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Funding Subsidy
20 Hours Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Equity Funding
the Annual Top-Up for Isolated Services

Note: The information in the Funding Handbook does not apply to certificated playgroups. These services should contact their Ministry regional office for further information.

Downloading the ECE Funding Handbook

If you want a printed 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

DOWNLOAD/PRINT

8-3 When your service is closing

Introduction
- A service intending to close must notify the Ministry regional office of the date the service will close.

Final payment
- You will need to provide the Ministry with your final funded child hours (FCH) and Certificated Teacher Hours (if applicable).
  Your service will receive a wash-up payment if it is due.
  If your service owes money to the Ministry of Education, an invoice will be issued.
  Contact your Ministry regional office for further details.

Service provider
- When a closed service is part of a group of services operated by one service provider, any overpayment will be deducted from the next payment to the service provider.