- 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
- Applying for a 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
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Starting a playgroup
- The value of playgroups
- How to get started
- Managing the financial side of setting up a playgroup
- Running a playgroup
- Tell me more about certification
- Funding and finances
- Glossary
- Starting a puna kōhungahunga (Māori language playgroup)
- Information to assist applicants
- Information to assist home-based applicants
- Useful contact information
On this page
Tell me more about certification
On 1 December 2008, the Education (Playgroups) Regulations 2008 and the Certification Criteria for Playgroups 2008 came into force.
Education (Playgroups) Regulations 2008 – New Zealand Legislation
Certification criteria for playgroups
These regulations and certification criteria contain the requirements and standards of education and care that a playgroup must meet in order to be certified and be eligible to receive Ministry of Education funding and support.
To talk about becoming a certified playgroup, contact the Education Review Office. There will be staff who can help you with the certification process.
Mōhiohio anō
More information
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Page updated: 11:12PM 27 August 2026
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