- Apply for an early learning service licence or certification
- Introduction to early learning services
- Licences to operate in early childhood education and care
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Starting a centre-based ECE service
- Early childhood education and care legislation and regulations
- Designing and building your new ECE service premises
- Complying with indoor premises and facilities licensing criteria
- Complying with outdoor premises and facilities licensing criteria
- Equipment for early childhood services
- Governance and management roles and responsibilities
- Preparing for staff employment
- Preparing policies, procedures and processes
- Administration records
- Annual plan and budget
- Fees and funding
- The Early Learning Information (ELI) System
- Required assessments, approvals and registrations
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Applying for a licence
- Probationary licence application
- Full licence
- Guides for starting an early childhood service
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Starting a home-based ECE service
- Early childhood education and care regulations
- Home-based service operating models
- The home-based education and care home environment
- Health and safety standards and emergencies
- Home-based education and care premises and facilities
- Governance and management roles
- Managing your service
- Roles and responsibilities in a home-based education and care service
- Preparing policies, procedures and processes
- Administration records
- Annual plan and budget
- Fees and funding
- The Early Learning Information (ELI) System
- Applying for a licence
- Starting a playgroup
- Starting a puna kōhungahunga (Māori language playgroup)
- Information to assist applicants
- Information to assist home-based applicants
- Useful contact information
On this page
Full licence
A full licence assessment must be carried out by the Education Review Office within 12 months of gaining a probationary licence. During the full licence check, the Education Review Office will assess policies, practices and curriculum implementation in action.
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Page updated: 02:14AM 21 August 2026
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