The New Zealand Government's recent review of Early Childhood Education (ECE) licensing criteria introduces substantial changes aimed at simplifying compliance.

This blog covers some regulations that were listed as being retained, altered, merged, or removed, and includes examples and insights.

The Ministry for Regulation - Te Manatū Waeture - version of the report can be read here: Regulatory Review of Early Childhood Education.

Criteria to Be Retained

26 criteria remain unchanged, in an attempt to ensure core safety, governance, and operational standards are upheld. These include:

- Professional Practice (C1 & C2): Standards for maintaining curriculum consistency and using assessment and planning to support children’s learning.

- Governance (GMA7A, GMA12): Ensuring staff undergo safety checks under the Children’s Act and required documentation is accessible.

- Building Compliance (PF3): Facilities must comply with local bylaws and the Building Act.

- Furniture Safety (PF5-PF8): Indoor and outdoor items must be safe, with adequate storage and supervision-friendly layouts.

- Communication (PF11): Centres must have operational telephones for emergencies.

- Nappy Changing (HS3): Hygienic and respectful processes.

- Fire Evacuation (HS4): Approved evacuation schemes remain mandatory.

- Hazard Management (HS12): Daily checks to eliminate, isolate, or minimise risks, including toxic materials and unsafe equipment.

- Emergency Drills (HS7): Regular practice and documented evaluations.

Clasp’s cloud-based software supports easy recording of emergency drills

Clasp also provides automated reminders for each type of emergency drill, ensuring centres stay prepared.

Emergency drill practice continues to be an important part of daycare safety and regulation.

Criteria to Be Amended

40 criteria will be adjusted to reduce administrative burdens and align with modern practices. Examples include:

- Hygiene Standards (HS21): Clarified expectations for clean and accessible drinking water.

- Facility Maintenance (PF12): Simplified documentation requirements while maintaining standards for lighting, ventilation, and temperature control.

- Food Preparation (PF17): Updated to focus on high-risk areas, reducing redundant inspections for low-risk tasks.

Amendments aim to maintain safety while simplifying compliance processes, helping centres allocate resources more effectively.

Criteria to be moved to "Good Practice Guidelines"

18 criteria will shift from mandatory standards to being (as Captain Barbosa would say) - "more like guidelines." One notable example:

- Curriculum Quality (C3-C13): Standards for inclusive, culturally reflective, and language-rich curricula will now serve as guidelines.

This includes recognising the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua, supporting children’s understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and cultural heritages, and encouraging responsive, inclusive teaching practices.

This shift raises concerns about maintaining consistent quality across the sector. Educational values central to these criteria (and Aotearoa) risk being deprioritised without regulatory enforcement.

Criteria to Be Removed

Three criteria will be removed entirely, as they no longer serve regulatory purposes.

These removals include:

- Assembly Points (HS5): requirements for designated evacuation points will be relaxed, provided centres demonstrate safe evacuation practices, and

- Adult-Specific Facilities (PF23): dedicated staff toilets are no longer mandatory if alternative arrangements exist.

The removals aim to simplify regulations without compromising children’s safety or well-being.

How Clasp Can Help!

Clasp’s cloud-based software simplifies policy management, ensuring centres stay compliant with evolving regulations. Features like automated reminders, secure document and emergency drill storage, and policy tracking make it easier to navigate these changes.