CONTENTS
Hash symbol (#)
A hash symbol (#) indicates criteria that may require additional comment from public health units (usually in the form of a health report) to assist the Ministry of Education in assessing services for compliance. The authority to direct a service provider to obtain a health report is outlined in Regulation 55.
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, Regulation 55 – New Zealand Legislation
Sun symbol (☀)
A sun symbol (☀) indicates facilities that can be located outside the premises, if services can demonstrate they have adequate access to them.
The glossary defines shared facilities and adequate access.
Section 10 of the Education and Training Act 2020 defines an early childhood education and care centre as a premises that is used regularly for the education or care of 3 or more children (not being children of the persons providing the education or care or children enrolled at a school who are being provided with education or care before or after school) under the age of 6 years by day (or part of a day) but not for any continuous period of more than 7 days.
Education and Training Act 2020, Section 10 – New Zealand Legislation
Centre-based early learning services include:
- Playcentre
- Te Kōhanga Reo
- Kindergarten
- education and care services
- puna reo
- reo rua education and care
- leo o fanau moana immersion
- leo o fanau moana bilingual.
Early learning services are sometimes referred to as a:
- childcare centre
- preschool
- crèche
- a’oga amata
- early childhood centre.
They can have a variety of different operating structures, philosophies and affiliations such as Montessori or Rudolf Steiner.
These centres are licensed in accordance with the Education and Training Act 2020 under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, which prescribe minimum standards that each licensed service must meet. Licensing criteria are used to assess how the centres meet the minimum standards required by the regulations.
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 – New Zealand Legislation
The publication of the criteria on its own can be downloaded and printed.
The licensing criteria were last updated on 1 September 2026.
From 1 September 2026, the Education Review Office (ERO) is responsible for licensing and regulating early childhood education services.
Find out how to apply for a licence on ERO's website.
The transfer of regulatory functions for early childhood education from the Secretary for Education in the Ministry of Education to the Director of Regulation in the Education Review Office, has been reflected in changes to the licensing criteria.
You can find a comparison tables showing these changes below.
