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Who Can Be Authorised to Collect a Child or Do Pick-Up

Can an older sibling pick up their little brother or sister from the centre or service? There are some specific rules on who can be authorised to do pick-up, under what circumstances, and the person’s age. Here’s the full details on the rules.
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Person’s Age and who Can Collect a Child or Do Pick-Up

© myECE.org.nz. 
 Parent Support and Information. 

There are some specific rules on who can collect or pick-up a child from an early childhood education service, under what circumstances, and the person’s age.

Who can pick-up a child

Early childhood services must not allow any child to leave with any person, unless the person: 

  • has the role of providing day-to-day care for the child; or
  • is authorised in writing to take the child by a person who has the role of providing day-to-day care for the child.

Person’s age

The regulations do not specify the legal age for a sibling or other authorised person to collect a child.  

Normally a licensed service would not release a child to a sibling under the age of 14 years, unless the child’s parent was also present or at least within sight (for example, can be seen waiting in their car).

Failing to meet minimum standards

The Ministry of Education needs to know:

  • If you are concerned children’s needs are not being met.
  • If you are concerned a service is not meeting a minimum legal requirement.

READ MORE: How to make a complaint and your options.

CAUTION: This page and the information here is provided as part of the My ECE Guide to Early Childhood Service Regulations and Licensing Criteria for Parents  (The Guide).  The Guide does not purport to be a full and accurate interpretation of all statutory provisions relating to early childhood education services. While best efforts have been used in preparing this guide, no representations or warranties of any kind are made and My ECE assumes no liabilities of any kind with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the content. Please note that the Government and Ministry of Education may change, update, or alter any of the requirements at any time.  Please help to keep the information on this page up to date by letting us know of changes that need to be made.
Thank you!  Kia pai te rā

Reference:
My ECE Guide to Early Childhood Service Regulations and Licensing Criteria for Parents. Prepared by Dr Sarah Alexander and Warwick Marshall.

Last reviewed: 1 May 2025

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