Licensing criteria for kōhanga reo

Kōhanga reo run a total immersion te reo Māori whānau (family) programme for mokopuna (young children) from birth to six years of age to be raised within its whānau Māori, where the language of communication will be Māori.

The operation and decision making of each kōhanga reo are the responsibility of the whole whānau within the guidelines set down by Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board. The trust and the kōhanga reo whānau administer the kaupapa to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the mokopuna and the whānau and to ensure the survival of te reo Māori.

Kōhanga reo are currently chartered to Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust and licensed by the Ministry of Education under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008.

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008(external link)

The Ministry does not provide guidance for the kōhanga reo licensing criteria. Guidance is available upon request directly from Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust.

Contact – Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust(external link)

A copy of the criteria can be downloaded from the right-hand column.

The licensing criteria were last updated in September 2022.

Emergencies

  • HS4: Fire evacuation scheme
    • Health and safety practices criterion 4

      The premises are located in a building that has a current Fire Evacuation Scheme approved by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

      Documentation required:

      A current Fire Evacuation Scheme approved by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

      Rationale/Intent:

      The criterion aims to uphold the safety of children by ensuring that the premises have an adequate plan for evacuating children in the event of a fire.

  • HS5: Safe assembling areas
    • Health and safety practices criterion 5

      Designated assembly areas for evacuation purposes outside the building keep children safe from further risk.

      Rationale/Intent:

      The criterion aims to uphold the safety of children by ensuring that assembly areas do not place children in further danger - on a main highway for example. The criterion is also based on the assumption that a safe assembly area is more likely to result in regular drills being carried out.

  • HS6: Securing furniture
    • Health and safety practices criterion 6

      Heavy furniture, fixtures, and equipment that could fall or topple and cause serious injury or damage are secured.

      Rationale/Intent:

      The criterion aims to uphold the safety of children.

  • HS7: Emergency supplies
    • Health and safety practices criterion 7

      There is a written emergency plan and supplies to ensure the care and safety of children and adults at the service. The plan must include evacuation procedures for the service’s premises, which apply in a variety of emergency situations and which are consistent with the fire evacuation scheme for the building.

      Documentation required

      A written emergency plan that includes at least:

      1. An evacuation procedure for the premises.
      2. A list of safety emergency supplies and resources sufficient for the age and number of children and adults at the service and details of how these will be maintained and accessed in an emergency.
      3. Details of the roles and responsibilities that will apply during an emergency situation.
      4. A communication plan for families and support services.
      5. Evidence of review of the plan on, at least, an annual basis and implementation of improved practices as required.
      Rationale/Intent:

      The criterion aims to uphold the safety of children by ensuring that adults at the service have the necessary knowledge and supplies to deal with emergency situations.

      Amended June 2018

  • HS8: Emergency drills
    • Health and safety practices criterion 8

      Adults providing education and care are familiar with relevant emergency drills and carry out each type of drill with children (as appropriate) on an, at least, three-monthly basis.

      Documentation required:

      A record of emergency drills carried out and evidence of how evaluation of the drills has informed the annual review of the service’s emergency plan.