RS7 Return#

The RS7 Early Childhood Funding Return (the RS7 Return) is the main funding return for early childhood education (ECE) services. 

Collection of the RS7 Return information as a condition of funding#

It is a condition of funding that every service provider of a licensed early childhood service must provide the information listed in this chapter to the Ministry of Education, at the frequency specified, through the ELI system or any alternative method the service provider is authorised by the Ministry to use, to enable the Secretary for Education or the Minister of Education to exercise their powers or carry out their responsibilities under the Act, and as permitted by Privacy Principles 10 and 11.

Services who do not provide this information to the Ministry through the ELI system or an approved alternative method may have their funding withheld in part or in full.

Funding payments will continue once complete and accurate RS7 Return data is submitted.

Use of information collected#

The purpose of RS7 Return is outlined in Chapter 9.

RS7 Return information is used for the purposes of ECE operational funding. Types of funding are outlined in Chapter 2.

Minimum submission frequency#

Licensed early childhood services must submit RS7 Return information three times per year, as outlined in Chapter 9.

RS7 Return information collected#

The RS7 Return must be fully completed before being submitted.

The following RS7 Return information must be submitted to the Ministry:

• daily total of Subsidy Funded Child Hours (under 2)
• daily total of Subsidy Funded Child Hours (2 and over)
• daily total of 20 Hours ECE Funded Hours (20 Hours ECE)
• daily total of 20 Hours ECE Funded Hours (Plus 10)
• daily total of Staff Hour Count (ECE Qualified and Certificated) (Education and Care and Kindergarten All day only)
• daily total of Staff Hour Count (Not ECE Qualified and Certificated) (Education and Care and Kindergarten All day only)
• attestation of certificated teachers’ salaries.

RS7 Return funding contact information collected#

The following declaration information must be sent to the Ministry by all service types:

• name
• contact number
• designation.

Advance days#

Advance days must be submitted to the Ministry by Kindergarten, Education and Care and Playcentre services. This includes ‘All Day’ advance days, ‘sessional’ advance days and “parent-led’ advance days.

Attestation of certificated teachers’ salaries#

Education and Care services must choose one of the 5 options outlined in Chapter 9.