We are working to modernise early childhood care and education in Aotearoa New Zealand, including how services are regulated.

Learn more about our work related to early childhood and care education regulations below.

Activity following the Ministry for Regulation ECE regulatory review#

Changes have been proposed to early learning licensing criteria following a 2024 Ministry for Regulation ECE Regulatory Review.

We recently consulted on the proposed changes to centre-based, home-based, and hospital-based licensing criteria.

Consultation on early learning criteria

What we heard during consultation#

We are analysing over 1,000 submissions received during our consultation on early learning licensing criteria. We are reviewing information contained in every submission to make certain we have heard and understood the views of those who took the time to make a submission.

We will publish a report on what we heard from those who took part in early learning licensing criteria consultation. You will be able to access the report here when it is available.

Next steps#

When we have considered the views received through consultation we will send a final set of recommended changes to early learning licensing criteria to the Associate Minister of Education. The Associate Minister will then make a final decision on any changes.

Any changes to early learning licensing criteria will be shared when decisions have been made. We anticipate any changes to be implemented in 2026.

Regulatory relief for the ECE sector#

Current Ministry of Education work to give regulatory relief to the ECE sector