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Definition of an Early Childhood Service (Or, When You Have to Get a Licence if You’re Caring for Children)

An early childhood service is defined in law as being “Any premises used regularly for the education or care of 3 or more children (not being the children of the person providing the care) under the age of 6. Find out more here.
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The definition of what an early childhood centre or service is

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

An early childhood service is defined in law as being “Any premises used regularly for the education or care of 3 or more children (not being the children of the person providing the care) under the age of 6”.

Registered schools and children’s health camps are legally exempt from needing to hold a licence under education regulations.

Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (The NZ Correspondence School) provides distance education programme for under-fives and it is legally exempt from being an ECE service that is licensed under the education regulations.

Learn what licensing means and what different licences are given by the Ministry of Education for new, fully established, and services that breach licensing requirements.

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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