Early Learning Regulatory Review

The Ministry of Education has begun a comprehensive review of the early learning regulatory system. The Review’s purpose is to ensure that the regulatory system is clear and fit for purpose to support high quality educational outcomes for our youngest learners.

The Review will be completed in three tranches. The Ministry of Education will be consulting on the first tranche of the Review from November 2020.

The main aim of tranche one is to address some of the gaps in our current system including those that pose a risk to children’s health, safety and wellbeing. The proposals would most impact new early learning services, service providers that have a change in circumstance and services that have compliance issues.

Areas that require more work will be in later tranches. This will include addressing several commitments in the Early Learning Action Plan 2019-2029 and Review of Home-based Early Childhood Education.

The table below details advice provided that relates to this work.

Date of paper

Title 

METIS number 
29 July 2020

Cabinet Paper, Regulatory Impact Statement and Minute: Proposed changes to the early learning regulatory system [PDF, 1.5 MB]

 SWC-20-MIN-0116
3 February 2020 Education Report: Review of the Early Learning Regulatory System: Scope and Timeframes [PDF, 2.8 MB] 1218418
28 February 2020 Education Report: Review of the Early Learning Regulatory System: Revised Scope and Timeframes, and Draft Cabinet Paper [PDF, 3.5 MB] 1221884
3 July 2020 Education Report: Restarting the Review of the Early Learning Regulatory System [PDF, 1.1 MB] 1234266
23 July 2020 Aide Memoire: Proposed changes to the early learning regulatory system - implications for Pacific early learning services [PDF, 799 KB] 1235632
29 July 2020 Aide Memoire: Proposed changes to the early learning regulatory system [PDF, 728 KB] 1236086
20 November 2020 Education Report: Review of the Early Learning Regulatory System: Tranche one consultation [PDF, 741 KB] 1245030
17 February 2021 Education Report: Home-based ECE qualification changes [PDF, 746 KB] 1249356
29 April 2021 Education Report:Early Learning Regulatory Review – options for regulating for 80% qualified teachers Network Management – Te Tiriti o Waitangi, appeals and other matters [PDF, 957 KB] 1253466
26 May 2021 Education Report: Early Learning Regulatory Review - tranche one proposals [PDF, 14 MB] 1250403
27 May 2021 Briefing Note: Cabinet Social Wellbeing Committee consideration of Implementing Qualification Requirements for Home-based Early Childhood Educators [PDF, 715 KB] 1260430
8 June 2021 Cabinet paper: Implementing Qualification Requirements for Home-based Early Childhood Educators [PDF, 952 KB] CAB-21-MIN-0206
10 June 2021 Education Report: Early Learning Regulatory Review: Network Management – policy settings and consultation [PDF, 1.5 MB] 1255416
21 June 2021 Information Update: Talking points Regulatory Review LEG 21 June [PDF, 111 KB] 1263567
28 June 2021 Cabinet Paper: Education (Early Childhood Services) Amendment Regulations [PDF, 1.3 MB] CAB-21-MIN-0242
14 July 2021 Education Report: Early Learning Regulatory Review: Network Management – Te Tiriti o Waitangi, appeals and other matters [PDF, 1.3 MB] 1265914
19 July 2021 Education Report: Early Learning Regulatory Review: Strengthening the person responsible requirements [PDF, 1.2 MB] 1255415
2 August 2021 Education Report: Public consultation on tranche two of the Early Learning Regulatory Review [PDF, 686 KB] 1267141
13 August 2021 Interim Regulatory Impact Statements for tranche two of the Early Learning Regulatory Review [PDF, 1.9 MB]  
20 August 2021 Education Report: Consultation on regulations for home-based educator qualifications [PDF, 937 KB] 1267975

Minutes from previous meetings

Any documents from previous meetings with the Early Learning Regulatory Review Advisory Group (the Group) that have been released can be found below.

March 2021 minutes [PDF, 267 KB]

March 2021 powerpoint [PDF, 6.4 MB]

April 2021 minutes [PDF, 265 KB]

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