Go straight to a consultation survey#

Use the links below to go directly to a consultation survey:

• centre-based early learning services
• home-based early learning services
• hospital-based early learning services

For more information about making a submission, download the discussion document in the resources section below.

Introduction#

We’re proposing changes to the licensing criteria for:

• centre-based early learning services
• home-based early learning services
• hospital-based early learning services.

We’d like to hear from the early learning sector, whānau |families, caregivers, and others who care about the tamariki | children and mokopuna of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Your views and insights can help children continue to enjoy safe, accessible, and high-quality early learning services.

What we hope to achieve through consultation#

We’ve looked at current licensing criteria and invite you to provide feedback about proposed changes through this consultation process. We want to consider views to help us inform the final decisions on these changes.

During consultation, we want to find out:

• the impact of the proposed changes on different stakeholders
• whether the proposed changes will support compliance with the regulations
• whether the proposed changes will support health and safety
• if the proposed changes to criteria are clear and easy to understand
• whether the proposed changes will reduce the compliance burden for service providers.

How to participate#

We’ll collect submissions through the online surveys at the top of this page. You’ll be able to provide as much or as little feedback as you choose when submitting your response. Simply choose to skip individual questions, or entire sections, if you wish— it’s up to you!

You’ll have an opportunity to provide written comments after every section of the survey. There’s also a place to write general comments about the consultation, or the proposed changes to licensing criteria, at the end of the survey.

If you can’t complete the online survey and still wish to make a submission, email us.

Email: [email protected]

Why your feedback matters#

Your feedback will help shape our advice for the Associate Minister to have the right balance between compliance activities and supporting children’s learning, health, and safety. It’ll also help determine that:

• the intent of the regulation is met
• criteria are clear and understandable, and
• service providers don’t face an unnecessary compliance burden.

Resources#

You can download and view the full discussion document here.

Privacy statement#

Collecting personal information#

Individual submissions will be aggregated and analysed by Ministry of Education employees and third-party service providers. We analyse submissions to inform advice regarding proposed changes to licensing criteria for centre-based, home-based, and hospital-based services.

Publishing submissions#

We will only publish your submission with your permission.

Privacy notice#

This privacy notice applies to personal and other information collected as part of this consultation. Our privacy policy is governed by the Privacy Act 2020.

We’ll keep your personal information secure if you voluntarily provide that information. Any personal information supplied will only be used for the purpose for which it was provided or permitted by the Privacy Act 2020 and will not be disclosed to any third party except where necessary for the provision of services, or as authorised or required by law.

If you want to check personal information that we hold, or request the correction of that information when required, write to us.

The Privacy Officer
Ministry of Education
PO Box 1666
Wellington 6140

You can also email us.

Email: [email protected]

Relevant legislation#

Your submission may be subject to the:

• Official Information Act 1982
• Privacy Act 2020
• Public Records Act 2005.

These laws cover how we handle, manage, and share protected personal information given in confidence.