The funding condition that home-based educators can charge parents top-up payments for 20 Hours ECE was confirmed by the Minister of Education in December 2023. 

We can now tell you that the changes to the ECE Funding Handbook will take effect on 3 June.

You can view the advance copy of Chapters 4, 6 and 11, glossary and the enrolment agreement form of the ECE Funding Handbook, showing the home-based educator top-up payments at:

20 hours ECE for ECE services – Ministry of Education

Any queries, contact ece.20hoursece@education.govt.nz.

In last week’s special bulletin, the Associate Minister of Education, Hon David Seymour confirmed that implementation of proposed changes to applications to change the identity of the service provider were on hold, and that we would continue to manage these applications under our current processes. 

We have updated our website to clarify the process. Information to support anyone considering selling or purchasing a licensed early learning service is available on our website: 

Selling a service – Ministry of Education

We have also created a separate application form (EC9) to make the process as straight forward as possible. The new EC9 and updated EC8 application forms, as well as a new EC9 Statutory Declaration form are now available on our website. Use these new forms for future licence amendments.

If you have any questions, contact your local Te Mahau office:

Local Ministry offices – Ministry of Education

From 1 May this year, early learning services will need to use the updated Early Learning Curriculum Framework. All licensed services and certified playgroups (except ngā kōhanga reo) will need to choose and implement either Te Ara Whānui or Te Ara Māori. Ngā kōhanga reo will use Te Whāriki a te Kōhanga Reo, and we are working with Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust to continue supporting those services.

This change sets a clear expectation that every child should experience a rich curriculum. If your service is still unsure which pathway to use, you can find more information about the updated framework here:

Updated Early Learning Curriculum Framework in use from 1 May – Tāhūrangi Online

We have also refreshed the guidance for curriculum licencing criteria to align with the Early Learning Curriculum Framework and will be seeking feedback on this over the next few months. Keep an eye out in our next bulletin for a link to the revised draft guidance.

A range of new resources is now available to help you and your kaiako understand Te Ara Whānui and Te Ara Māori, and select the pathway best suited to your service. Some of the resources are being sent directly to your service, and all of them are available on Tāhūrangi. 

Find out more about the new resources here:

New resources to help you choose and use a curriculum pathway – Tāhūrangi Online

Applications for Waha Rumaki and Pacific Immersion Teachers’ Allowance (PITA) opened on 11 April, and will close on 8 May. These allowances will be paid on top of a teacher's base salary on 3 June. 

As this allowance was effective from 1 January, the first payment on 3 June will include the appropriate back payment.We cannot guarantee the back payment to 1 January if you do not apply for the first payment by 8 May. 

For more information and to read about the application processes for Waha Rumaki and PITA visit:  

Waha Rumaki – Ministry of Education  

Pacific Immersion Teachers’ Allowance – Ministry of Education  

Information on the funding conditions can be found in the ECE Funding Handbook: 

ECE Funding Handbook Chapter 5-3 – Ministry of Education 

Any queries, or for a link to the application form email ece.maoripacificfunding@education.govt.nz.