direct growth in the network and where it wants to discourage new proposals. These statements are a critically important component of the network planning regime as they form one of the main elements the Minister can consider when assessing applications. As such, it is vital the early learning sector engages with, and provides feedback to, the Ministry when these draft statements are released for consultation (in March 2022). “17D Minister may issue statements relating to network of licensed early childhood services 01. The Minister may, for the purpose of providing potential applicants for approval under section 17 with information about the network of licensed early childhood services, issue 1 or more statements that set out information relating to the network, at either a national or regional level, including— (a) the Government’s strategic priorities for the establishment of licensed early childhood services; and (b) information about the supply, forecast growth, demand, and need for licensed early childhood services; and... 02. If a proposed statement relates to the Government’s strategic priorities referred to in subsection (1)(a), the Minister must, before issuing a statement, consult with the licensed early childhood services sector and with Māori.” s17D Education and Training Act Bill (No 2). These statements will materially affect where new services will be permitted or declined from 1 August 2022. If you have any intention of establishing a new service or expanding an existing licence in the future, it’s in your interest to take a much closer look at this new regulation and how it impacts on your plans and I suggest you provide feedback on these statements when released for consultation. But I’m already building my new centre... Several early learning providers will be caught in a situation where a project is underway, but the centre will not be licensed by 1 August. Delays with consenting, construction and related supply chains due to Covid-19 means that projects have timelines that extend beyond the control of the provider. For these people, the new pre-approval process is creating uncertainty and stress with little Ministry guidance on how their proposals stack up under the network planning regime. For those able to submit a licence application in full prior to 1 August, these applications will not be subject to a pre-approval assessment. However, for those already under construction but not complete, the requirement is to prepare a pre-approval application under the new provisions of the Act. This includes an assessment of need/demand under the network planning provisions. There are no transitional provisions, and each application will be assessed against the provisions of the Act and either approved or declined. You can imagine the stress that this causes for those in this situation. Further, the Act does not allow the Ministry to accept any pre-approval applications prior to 1 August – meaning those with projects under construction cannot front-foot this matter through an early application. My advice to anyone caught up in the above situation is to contact the ECC and they can direct you to Planning consultants that specialise in ECE resource consenting and site/location analysis. These specialists will be able to prepare independent reports that identify the need for your specific service in the community using demographic, consenting, demand and population forecast data. About the author Kindello Cofounder, Logan Whitelaw, has a particular interest in the development and operation of early childhood education centres throughout New Zealand. Through Establish, an early learning development consultancy he cofounded, Logan has helped simplify the development process for over 200 new centres across the country. In late 2021, Logan launched Kindello.com - the free online platform that connects early learning services with their ideal customers at the ideal time. Kindello has now grown to become the most comprehensive online marketplace for ECE in New Zealand with more visit bookings, reviews and enquiries being made every week. Five key takeaways ● ● Network planning takes effect on 1 August; ● ● A new pre-approval step is introduced – the Ministry decides where ECE’s can go; ● ● New National and Regional Statements will be produced to guide where growth is to occur; ● ● Consultation on these Statements will happen in March – it's important to be involved; ● ● If you’re currently in the middle of a new-build, seek the advice of the ECC and have an independent demand report prepared to support your pre-approval application. March 2022 { 25 }
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