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2026 ECE Wall Planner Calendar (with funding dates)

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Early Childhood Education Staff Survey. Manager and teacher planning at an early childhood centre service.

2026 Early Childhood Education Wall Planner Calendar

Start the year feeling organised and confident with our free 2026 wall planner designed especially for early childhood education services.

Featuring key dates, public holidays, events, and Ministry of Education funding deadlines, this planner helps you plan ahead with ease. Keep everything visible at a glance and ensure your team stays on track throughout the year.

Download and print the Wall Planner for your office and staff room. And, make it your own—there’s plenty of space to add notes, reminders, and other events that matter most to your service and community.

Download
Stay informed about ECE requirements, policies, & best practice online at https://oece.nz
 MONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAYSAT & SUN
JANUARY   1  STAT HOLIDAY2  STAT HOLIDAY3 & 4
 56   78910 & 11
 121314151617 & 18
 192021222324 & 25
 26
Term One starts for many schools		27


28


29


30


31


FEBRUARY     1
 2  
RS7 March funding submission period opens		3



4



5



6  STAT HOLIDAY Waitangi Day
7 & 8
 9





10
RS7 paper-based submission due for 1 March payment		11





12




13
RS7 electronic submission due for 1 March payment		14 & 15
 1617
Chinese New Year
Shrove Tuesday		18192021 & 22
 232425262728
MARCH     1  Children’s Day
 2
MoE Funding Payment (for 1 March)		3456 
RS7 submission due for 20 March payment		7 & 8
 91011121314 & 15
 1617
St Patrick’s Day		181920 
MoE Funding Payment (for 20 March)		21 & 22
 232425262728 & 29
 3031
World Down Syndrome Day		    
APRIL  12
Term One ends		3   STAT HOLIDAY Easter4 & 5
 6   STAT HOLIDAY7891011 & 12
 131415161718 & 19
 20
Term Two starts		2122232425 & 26
ANZAC Day (25th)
 27   STAT HOLIDAY282930  
MAY    12 & 3
NZ Sign Language week456789 & 10 Mother’s Day (10th)
 111213141516 & 17
 181920212223 & 24
 252627282930 & 31
JUNE
Sāmoan Language Week		1 STAT HOLIDAY King’s Birthday2
RS7 July funding submission period opens		3456 & 7
Soccer World Cup Starts891011  
RS7 paper-based submission due for 1 July payment		1213 & 14
 1516  
RS7 electronic submission due for 1 July payment		17  181920 & 21
This week: Submit ECE return (census) info to MoE222324252627 & 28
 2930   
Financial declarations due with MoE for 2025 financial year		    
JULY  1  
MoE Funding Payment (for 1 July)		23
Term Two ends		4 & 5
 678910   STAT HOLIDAY Matariki11 & 12
 131415161718 & 19
 20
Term Three starts		212223 Commonwealth Games Start2425 & 26
 2728293031 
AUGUST     1 & 2
 345678 & 9
 101112131415 & 16
 171819202122 & 23
 242526272829 & 30
 31     
SEPTEMBER 12345 & 6 Father’s Day (6th)
 789101112 & 13
Māori Language Week (Te Wiki o te Reo Māori)141516171819 & 20
 2122232425
Term Three ends		26 & 27
 282930   
OCTOBER   1   
RS7 Nov funding submission period opens		23 & 4
 5
World Teachers’ Day		678910 & 11
 12  
RS7 paper-based submission due for 1 Nov payment   Term Four starts		131415  
RS7 electronic submission due for 1 Nov payment		1617 & 18
 192021222324 & 25
 26  STAT HOLIDAY Labour Day2728293031  
Halloween
NOVEMBER     1
Diwali celebrations start

2  
MoE Funding Payment (for 1 Nov)		345
Guy Fawkes		67 & 8
Diwali 

 91011121314 & 15
 161718192021 & 22
 232425262728 & 29
 30     
DECEMBER 12345 & 6
 789101112 & 13
 1415161718
Term Four ends		19 & 20
Christmas and New Year period starts2122232425  STAT HOLIDAY26 & 27
 28293031  

Are you interested in the 2027 key funding dates? Pease check this page for updates in late 2026.

Further Information for Service Providers

Funding Rate Increases in 2026

Strategies to Maximise Funding you get for 20 Hours ECE, etc.

Late pick-ups or early drop-offs? What you need to know before you charge parents

Cashflow management

Accounting and Financial Terms Glossary especially for ECE Service Providers

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