A practical policy health check for Early Childhood Education centres

Policy fatigue is real—especially when you’re managing a busy team, upholding centre quality, managing finance, and marketing your early childhood education centre– not to mention policy reviews and ERO audits? It's tough, but if you lack a system for version control and your policies become out of date, your licence might be at risk.

What are ERO reviewers looking for in 2025?

• Up-to-date health and safety policies and procedures.

• Clear, accessible child protection policies.

• Proof of staff training and policy sign-offs.

• Documented procedures for excursions, sleep, food, and supervision, medicines.

Here is some useful guidance that can help you stay up to date.

Handbook/Policy	Purpose/Content
ECE Funding Handbook	Funding rules, conditions, and processes for ECE services
ERO review and evaluation	Compliance expectations, curriculum, and regulatory requirements
Licensing Criteria	Minimum standards for curriculum, safety, facilities, and management
Te Whāriki	Prescribed curriculum standards and expectations
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008	Legal requirements for licensing, staffing, and operations
Education and Training Act 2020	Legislative framework for ECE sector

Quick policy health check

1. Are your policies reviewed regularly?

2. Can staff easily access and understand them?

3. Do you have version control and an audit trail?

4. Are families informed of policy changes?

   
   

A good system makes compliance easier—not harder. Look for:

• Tools or templates designed specifically for New Zealand ECE centres.

• Make sure you understand what wording can be changed, and what changes could put your compliance at risk.

• Systems that avoid confusion with well-managed version control.

• Systems that capture evidence of reviews and policy revisions for ERO audits.

• Policies that are actively maintained so you don't buy a template that becomes out of date.

• A review schedule that helps you, your governing board and whānau to plan time and stay current.

We love policies, but they're not everyone's cup of tea. Join our waitlist and be first to learn when we launch later this year.