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Flag symbol ⚑
A flag symbol ⚑ indicates a criterion that applies to services which include a home or homes that have children receiving out-of-school care (as defined in the glossary) in the home while the licensed home-based ECE service is being provided.
Section 10 of the Education and Training Act 2020 defines home-based ECE services as the provision of education or care, for gain or reward, to children who are under the age of 5 years, or who are aged 5 years but not enrolled at school, in:
- the children’s own home or
- the home of the person providing the education or care or
- any other home nominated by a parent of the children.
Education and Training Act 2020, Section 10 – New Zealand Legislation
These services 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 services 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 as a PDF 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 the 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.
