Approved early childhood education programme or service

An approved early childhood education programme means, early childhood education, provided by any of the following:

• a licensed early childhood service which includes:
  • early childhood education and care centre (eg daycare centre, kōhanga reo, playcentre, kindergarten)
  • home-based education and care service
  • hospital-based education and care service
• a playgroup certificated by the Ministry of Education (this means a playgroup funded by the Ministry of Education and will meet certain standards)

and

• for which a fee is charged for the children to participate in the programme

Note under no circumstances can we make a payment for childcare provided informally (for example through family or friends who are not licensed to provide a home-based education and care service) or a childcare centre or service that is not approved (not licensed).

• approved early-childhood education programme (definitions) regulation 20 Social Security Regulations 2018
• Childcare assistance Part 2, subpart 6 Social Security Regulations 2018