Licensing criteria for hospital-based ECE services

Section 10 of the Education and Training Act 2020 defines hospital-based education and care service as the provision of education or care to 3 or more children under the age of 6 who are receiving hospital care.

Section 10, Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation

ECE services operating from hospital premises that provide education and care to siblings of patients or children of hospital staff or patients are centre-based ECE services, not hospital-based ECE services.

Licensing criteria for centre-based ECE services

Hospital-based services are licensed in accordance with the Education and Training Act 2020 under the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, which prescribe the minimum standards each licensed service must meet. 

Licensing criteria are used to assess how services meet the minimum standards required by the regulations.

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008 – New Zealand Legislation

For each criterion there is guidance to help services meet the required standards.

The licensing criteria were last updated in April 2026.

Licensing criteria for hospital-based ECE services Download PDF | 1.1MB

Comparison table: Hospital-based ECE services – what's changed Download PDF | 246KB

Complete the application form EC1: Apply to start a hospital-based service.

There is a non-refundable application fee of $2,817.50 (including GST).

EC1: Apply to start a hospital-based service

For further information, contact the Education Review Office