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New version effective 20 April 2026
This is the new version of the licensing criterion and associated guidance.
Criterion HS105#
There is an emergency plan and supplies to ensure the care and safety of children and adults at the service.
Documentation required (written or digital)#
An emergency plan that includes at least:
- an evacuation procedure specific to the premises and relevant to its location, which apply in different emergency situations and are consistent with the building’s fire evacuation scheme;
- designated assembly areas outside the building that keep children safe from further risk;
- a list of safety and 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;
- details of the roles and responsibilities that will apply during an emergency;
- a communication plan for families and support services; and
- evidence of reviewing the plan annually and implementation of improved practices as required.
Guidance#
How to show you are complying#
Emergency plan
You need a documented emergency plan that covers emergencies that could potentially happen in your area. The plan should help to prepare you to respond and recover effectively in the event of an emergency.
When developing your plan, you should consider your specific location and the kinds of emergencies that could happen. At a minimum, you should have a plan in place to respond to:
- earthquakes
- external threats (for example, a chemical spill)
- floods and storms
- situations where a lockdown is required.
If you are based in a tsunami zone, we would expect there to be a plan specific to tsunamis.
Designated assembly areas should make sure children or adults will not be trapped in an area. They should be away from where Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) vehicles and personnel might be when they are responding to a fire.
Emergency supplies
There is no prescribed list that covers the supplies and resources that you must have in an emergency.
You will need to consider the number of people and their needs when deciding the supplies to keep. For example, if your service includes children under 2 years old, your emergency supplies will likely need to include infant formula, clean bottles, and nappies.
