The Education and Training Act 2020 says that 'home-based education and care services and hospital-based education and care services may but need not be licensed'.

You will need a licence if you provide education and care:

• to 3 or more children who are under 5 years of age, or who are 5 but not enrolled at school
• for gain or reward.

See more information about gain and reward.

How providers can meet the gain or reward requirement

See more information about who does or does not need a licence.

Licences to operate in early childhood education and care

Planning#

Before you start, find out what our requirements are. Research will help you make a plan and decide how to carry it out.

Information for starting a home-based service

Level of demand

Look at the Education Counts website to get an idea of how many and what types of early learning services are already in your area. This will help you assess demand.

Information about early learning services – Education Counts

Available educators

Find people who are interested in becoming educators in your service. We will need to choose at least 2 homes to visit as part of the application process.

Educators will need to hold home-based qualifications or be willing to enrol in a course leading towards a qualification within 6 months of joining your service.

Talk to us#

Once you have done your research, contact your regional Ministry office to talk to us. We will tell you more about the application process and answer any questions you may have.

Talking to us gives your application the best chance of being successful.

Regional offices