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 – New Zealand 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 more information.
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
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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.
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Approval required
Services must contact their Ministry regional office for approval to operate at times other than those for which they are licensed.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Week days Session no. Funded child hours (ie. 2 and over) Monday 1 180 Tuesday 2 180 Wednesday 3 180 Thursday 4 90 Friday (Letter of approval to show this day was closed and a substitute day was granted) 5 180 (although this may not be the day on which the session took place) Saturday 6