This instrument is made under section 124(1)(d) of the Social Security Act 1964 by the Minister for Social Development.

Instrument

1. Title—This instrument is the Family Start and Early Start (Childcare Assistance) Amendment 2017.

2. Commencement—This instrument comes into force on 1 October 2017.

3. Principal programme—This instrument amends the Family Start and Early Start (Childcare Assistance) Programme¹ (as established and approved on 12 September 2005) (“principal programme”).

4. Clause 4 amended (Interpretation)—(1) In clause 4(1), definition of eligible child, replace paragraph (b) with:

“(b) is either—

1. from a Family Start or Early Start family; or
2. a child in respect of whom assistance under this programme was paid while the child was from a Family Start or Early Start family; and”

(2) In clause 4(1), definition of Family Start or Early Start family, delete “and selected by the chief executive for the purposes of this programme”.

5. Clause 6 amended (Family Start or Early Start childcare assistance: Eligibility)—(1) In clause 6, replace “maximum of—” with “maximum of 20 hours a week.”

(2) In clause 6, revoke paragraphs (a) and (b).

Dated at Wellington this 15th day of August 2017.

Hon ANNE TOLLEY, Minister for Social Development.

Explanatory note

This note is not part of the instrument, but is intended to indicate its general effect.

This instrument amends the Family Start and Early Start (Childcare Assistance) Programme (“programme”) under the Social Security Act 1964. It increases on 1 October 2017 the assistance available under the programme up to a maximum of 20 hours a week for all children aged 18 to 36 months who are enrolled in an approved early-childhood education programme if their families are enrolled in a Family Start or Early Start Programme. It also extends eligibility to children of that age for whom assistance under the programme was paid while their families were enrolled in a Family Start or Early Start Programme and removes the requirement that a Family Start or Early Start Programme must be selected by the chief executive for the purpose of the programme.

1. New Zealand Gazette, 15 December 2005, No. 207, page 5275.