Ngā puna kōhungahunga and other playgroups are the only ECE services that are certified rather than licensed. This means they may be less formal than other kinds of ECE services and have fewer Ministry requirements to meet. There are 2 main types of ECE service – teacher-led and parent-led. All teacher-led and parent-led services other than playgroups are licensed.

Teacher-led services#

The centre-based, teacher-led services include:

• kindergarten
• education and care services – you may know these as daycare or preschool
• puna reo
• reo rua education and care
• leo o fanau moana immersion
• leo o fanau moana bilingual.

Education and care services#

• Run all-day sessions or flexible hour programmes for children from birth to school age.
• Some services are for certain ages like children under 2.
• May be privately owned or owned and operated by a community group.
• Some have a particular language and cultural base.

Māori medium and Pacific bilingual and immersion services#

These 4 service types were introduced in May 2025.

Puna reo

Te Reo Māori is the principal language to talk to and teach mokopuna. It is used 81% or more of the time. It is expected that mokopuna in the service can interact freely in te reo Māori, without being instructed.

Reo rua education and care

Te Reo Māori is used at least 51% of the time to talk to and teach mokopuna. English is used as a temporary language. Not all mokopuna in the service are expected to interact freely in te reo Māori. They will be able do so when asked.

Leo o fanau moana immersion

One Pacific language is the main way to talk to and teach children. It is used 81% or more of the time at the service. It is expected that children in the service can interact freely in this Pacific language, without being instructed.

Leo o fanau moana bilingual

One Pacific language is used at least 51% of the time to talk to and teach children. English is accepted as a temporary language. Not all children in the service are expected to interact freely in the Pacific language. They will be able to do so when asked.

Kindergartens#

• Accept children between 2 and 5 years old and can have set morning and afternoon sessions for different age groups.
• Some offer all-day or flexible sessions for a wider age range of children.
• Non-profit, community-based services managed by a Kindergarten Association.

Home-based education and care services#

• Involve an educator providing education and care for groups of up to 4 under school age children at a time in a home setting. For definition of educator, see the Glossary at the end of this publication.
• Each educator must belong to a licensed home-based care network and is supported by a coordinator who a registered ECE teacher is. For definition of a coordinator, see the Glossary at the end of this publication.

Glossary

Parent-led services#

Playgroups

• Are run by parents and cater for groups of children from birth to school age and their parents.
• Typically meet for 1 to 5 sessions each week to provide play, social and learning opportunities for children.
• Can be certified and may be less formal than other kinds of ECE services.

Pasifika playgroups#

• As well as the above playgroup requirements, Pasifika playgroups focus on developing and maintaining Pasifika languages and cultures.

Ngā puna kōhungahunga#

• As well as the above playgroup requirements, Māori language and tikanga is reflected in the structure and content of the playgroup sessions.

Playcentres#

• Are collectively supervised and managed by parents for children from birth to school age.
• Have a strong focus on parent education as well as children’s learning.
• Are supported by Playcentre Associations around the country.

Ngā kōhanga reo#

• Cater for children from birth to school age in a Māori language and tikanga Māori environment.
• Parents and whānau manage and operate the kōhanga reo with the support and guidance of the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust.
• Some kōhanga reo are also teacher-led services with trained kaiako.