- Hon David Seymour
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today provided an update on the implementation of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Sector Review.
"The Review found that ECE regulation was all over the place and applied with an iron fist. This left the sector confused and forced staff to work double time just to stay above the red tape, when they should be focussed on caring for children," Mr Seymour says.
"Last year we passed a law to fix it. Today more changes take effect."
From today the Education Review Office (ERO) will regulate ECE, giving effect to recommendations made by the Review.
"Previously ECE regulation was confusing, inconsistently applied and was not focused enough on risk. Now the ECE sector has simpler requirements, clearer responsibilities, proportionate enforcement, and better support for providers," Mr Seymour says.
"The Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Act 2025 gives effect to this approach. lt provides that children's health, safety and wellbeing are paramount, while regulatory decisions must be risk-based, proportionate, fair and transparent, and avoid unnecessary costs for parents and providers.
"My Letter of Expectations to ERO make it clear that those principles should guide how they regulate the ECE sector.
"These reforms will make it easier to open and run high-quality centres, which means more choice and better access for parents. This is part of the Government's wider commitment to smarter, more effective regulation that encourages growth and unlocks New Zealand's potential."
See below a timeline of the ECE Sector Review and implementation:
- 5 June 2024: ECE Regulatory Review announced
- 18 December 2024: ECE Review complete and report released
- 14 April 2025: Review implementation plan agreed to by Cabinet
- 23 April 2025: Government acceptance of all 15 Recommendations of the ECE Regulatory Review
- 23 February 2026: Education and Training (Early Childhood Education Reform) Amendment Act provisions came into force, including establishment of the Director of Regulation
- 20 April 2026: Updated licensing criteria for centre-based, home-based and hospital-based services came into effect
- 29 June 2026: Education (Early Childhood Services) Amendment Regulations 2026 came into effect, introducing graduated enforcement tools And associated compliance powers
- 6 July 2026: Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Act 2026 came into force, establishing the legislative framework for the transfer of ECE regulatory functions from the Ministry of Education to the Education Review Office (ERO)
- 1 September 2026: Responsibility for ECE licensing, certification, monitoring, compliance and enforcement transfers from the Ministry of Education to ERO
