MoE Licensing Criteria

Introduction

Operating an Early Childhood Education (ECE) service in New Zealand requires continuous compliance with the Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008. The Ministry of Education (MoE) publishes detailed criteria that centers must meet to maintain their license.

1. Student-to-Teacher Ratios

Ratios are determined by the age of the children and the duration of their attendance. Maintaining these ratios is a strict licensing condition:

• Under 2 Years Old: A minimum ratio of 1 teacher to every 5 children (1:5).
• 2 Years and Older: A minimum ratio of 1 teacher to every 10 children (1:10) for services operating under 4 hours, or 1:10 for all day services.

Sproutly continuously tracks checking ratios in real time as children and staff sign in and out of rooms, ensuring your center is never exposed.

2. Staff Qualification Requirements

For licensed center-based services, at least 50% of the required staff must hold a recognized ECE teaching qualification and maintain active registration with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

3. First Aid Qualifications

At all times when children are attending, there must be at least one staff member present for every 25 children who holds a current ECE first aid certificate (or a primary first aid qualification if approved). Certificates must be refreshed every two years.

4. Premises & Facilities

Centers must provide a safe environment, including meeting minimum requirements for:

• Indoor Space: A minimum of 2.5 square meters of clear activity space per child.
• Outdoor Space: A minimum of 5.0 square meters of clear activity space per child.
• Temperatures: Rooms must be maintained at a minimum of 18°C while children are in attendance.

Official MoE Resources

For complete up-to-date documentation on ECE licensing criteria, visit the official Ministry of Education ECE guidelines site: