Apply for network approval for a new early learning service

The network management system is designed to ensure licensed early childhood services in Aotearoa New Zealand are part of a planned and diverse network, that is sustainable and meets the needs of communities.

From 1 February 2023, if you want to establish a licensed early childhood service you will first need to apply for and be granted “network approval”.

To receive network approval you’ll need to show that there is a need for a new service, of the type and in the location proposed, and that you are suitable to provide that service.

Some Māori immersion services are excluded from this requirement, for example kōhanga reo chartered to the Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board.

Applications for network approval are assessed against seven criteria.

Applications for network approval are first submitted to the Ministry of Education, who assess some aspects before the full application is passed to the Minister of Education for a decision.

If your network approval is granted, you will have a period of time, which can be up to three years, to apply for a licence for your early childhood service. Gaining network approval does not guarantee a licence will be granted.

When granting network approval, the Minister may impose conditions that you will need to meet for the approval to remain valid.

Information to support applicants is on our website. For example, you can see what types of services are strategic priorities for network approval and the information the Minister considers when deciding applications.

It’s a good idea to read all of this information before starting your application. We can help with any questions you might have.

He mea waihanga te pūnaha whakahaerenga kōtuinga hei whakarite kei roto ngā ratonga kura kōhungahunga whai raihana i Aotearoa i tētahi kōtuinga whakamahere, kanorau hoki, e toitū ana, e ū ana ki ngā hiahia o ngā hapori.Atu i te 1 o Pēpuere 2023, mēnā e hiahia ana koe ki te whakatū i tētahi ratonga kura kōhungahunga whai raihana me tono koe, ā, me whiwhi i tētahi "whakaaetanga kōtuinga". Kia whakaaetia te whakaaetanga kōtuinga me whakaatu e koe kei te hiahiatia he ratonga hou, te momo ratonga me te wāhi e marohitia ai, ā, e tika ana koe ki te whakarato i taua ratonga.Kāore ētahi ratonga rumaki reo Māori e whai wāhi kitēnei whakaritenga, hei tauira, ngā kōhanga reo kei raro i Te Poari o Te Kōhanga Reo.Ka tātarihia ngā tono whakaaetanga kōtuinga ki ngāpaearu e whitu.Ka tukuna ngā tono mō te whakaaetanga kōtuinga ki Te Tāhuhu o Te Mātaurangai te tuatahi, ā, mā rātoue aromatawaiētahi āhuatanga i mua i te tukutanga o te tono whānui ki Te Minita o Te Mātauranga kia whakaaetia.Mēnā ka tukuna tō whakaaetanga kōtuinga, ka whai wā koe, atu ki te toru tau, ki te tono mō tētahi raihana mō tō ratonga kura kōhungahunga. Ehara i te mea ka whakaaetia he raihana i te whiwhi whakaaetanga kōtuinga.Ina tuku ana i te whakaaetanga kōtuinga, ka whakatau pea te Minita i ngā here me ū koe kia noho mana ai tō whakaaetanga. Kei roto i tā mātau paetukutuku ngā mōhiohio hei tautoko i ngā kaitono.Hei tauira,ka kite koe he aha ngā momo ratonga he kaupapa matua rautaki mō te whakaaetanga kōtuingame ngā mōhiohio ka whiriwhirihia e te Minita ina whakatau ana i ngā tono.He pai tonu kia pānuitia e koe ēnei mōhiohio katoa i mua i tō tīmata i tō tono. Ka taea e mātau te āwhina me ō pātai.