Non-enrolled children visits
When a child of any age visits a licensed early learning service during licensed hours, you must count them towards the service’s adult-to-child ratio. If an adult is present with the child, you can count them as an adult in the ratio.
A child of any age cannot visit your service if it would mean you:
- cannot meet the regulated adult-to-child ratios
- will exceed the maximum number of children specified on your licence.
For practical purposes there may be times when you exceed your licence maximum. For example, at pickup and drop-off times or when a parent and child are visiting to potentially enrol in the service.
Health and safety impacts
If you allow non-enrolled children and additional adults to visit your service, you must be able to keep them safe without affecting care for enrolled children. This includes events or parties where more family members might be present than usual.
Your service is considered as persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Refer to sections 36 and 46 of the Act when considering who should be at a service and how you manage this.
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 – New Zealand Legislation
Consider developing a policy for non-enrolled child visits with parents and whānau | families that states how:
- the education and care of enrolled children will not be affected
- parents of enrolled children will be informed
- child and adult safety will be managed including that of visitors.
You must also consider any legal requirements, such as how many people are allowed at your service according to your compliance schedule and fire evacuation plans.
Funding
Children visiting an early learning service are only eligible for funding if they:
- are under the age of 6
- are not enrolled in school
- have completed a casual enrolment agreement with the service.
