Home Education

Home education is an option in New Zealand though it requires a certificate of exemption from emorollement at a registered school from the Ministry of Education referred to as an exemption for short.

​

Children aged 6 -16 must go to school in New Zealand. To home educate an exemption from school must be obtained from the Ministry of Education before the age of 6 or before removing a child from a school they are enrolled in. The exemption application is detailed but very worthwhile and support with the process of applying can be accessed by experienced home educators sometimes for a fee for their time,  support and experience.

​​

There are thousands of children being home educated in New Zealand and no two families home educate in the exact same way. Some approaches to home education are school at home, unschooling/child-led, eclectic, classical, Montessori, Charlotte Mason, Waldorf, unit studies, and the list goes on... Take time to consider your family's approach when deciding on a curriculum.

​

Applying for an exemption from school is a great opportunity to consider your family's and each child's home educating approach. At first it can seem daunting, but there is plenty of support available and working through the exemption will help you determine your approach to home educating and get you started on your home education journey.

​​

Canterbury Home Educators provides Information Sessions throughout the year and membership to an established home education community to support those intending to home educate or on already on their journey. ​​

​