He Pānui Kōhungahunga
COVID-19 update - 14 December 2021
He Pānui Kōhungahunga
Ngā mihi o te ahiahi,
Tēnā koutou e ngā manawa tītī, o ngā whare ako huri noa i ngā tōpito o te motu, me he maonga āwhā. Nei rā āku whakamiha atu rā me te maioha ki a koutou. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.
Thank you all for your ongoing commitment during 2021 to make the best of some very difficult circumstances. I particularly want to acknowledge the additional pressure for those of you in Tāmaki Makaurau, Tai Tokerau and Waikato.
In this bulletin, we have a number of updates on funding, network planning and licensing, including delays in introducing changes to home based qualification requirements. I am pleased to also send you information on the latest illustrated stories as part of the Ā Mātou Kōrero | Our Stories series now available for early learning services.
There is a possibility that we will need to provide you with a further bulletin before the end of the year. But until then Meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi o te tau hou,
Iona
Delays to new qualification requirements for home-based educators
Cabinet has agreed to delay the commencement date of these regulatory changes from 1 January 2022 to 1 June 2022.
This delay reflects the impact of COVID-19 and will provide more time for service providers and educators to meet the minimum qualification requirements. Educators studying towards a Level 3 ECE qualification will have until 1 June 2022 to complete this qualification.
The Funding Handbook requirement for quality funded home-based services to have 50% qualified educators on a licence (from the current 30%) has also been delayed until 1 June 2022.
Based on the other consultation feedback received, Cabinet has also agreed to the following changes to the regulatory proposals:
- A monthly approach will be used to calculate percentage qualification requirements, so that educators can count towards the required percentage if they have provided education and care at least four days within each calendar month.
- Overseas ECE qualifications will be recognised if assessed by NZQA as comparable to an approved NZ ECE qualification.
- Educators studying towards a Level 7 ECE teaching qualification will have four years to complete the qualification.
- Where the percentage calculation of qualified educators results in a fraction, Swedish/standard rounding will be used to determine the number of educators needed, rather than always rounding up.
We will provide more guidance on these changes in February 2022, including how calculations will be applied.
Changes to the EC11 forms
The EC11 form (application for change of quality/standard funding rate) has recently been updated.
There are now two separate forms:
Parent-led services EC11: Application for Change of Quality/Standard Funding Rate for Early Childhood Services [PDF, 159 KB]
Home-based services EC11HB: Application for Change of Quality/Standard Funding Rate for Early Childhood Services [PDF, 165 KB]
You can find further information on funding under the Funding forms section of our website:
Update on network management proposals
Following public consultation from 8 September to 13 October 2021, the Government agreed to proceed with network management proposals.
To action some of these changes, sections 17 and 18 of Education and Training Act 2020 must be amended. The changes have been introduced via a Supplementary Order Paper that will be considered by the Education and Workforce Select Committee.
Education and Training Amendment Bull (No 2) – New Zealand Legislation
During the Select Committee process, you will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the Supplementary Order Paper and the proposals within it. If you want to learn more about how to make a submission, visit the Parliament website:
How to make a submission – New Zealand Parliament
For more information about the network management proposals, including a summary report of consultation feedback:
Network management for licensed early childhood services – Ministry of Education
Change in the identity of licensed service providers
From 1 February 2022, changes to the ECE regulations make it clear that amendments to change the identity of a licensed service provider must be applied for before any change is made to the service provider operating the early childhood service.
We are taking the opportunity to review current practice to improve and strengthen the application process. We will update you of any changes to the application process before they are implemented.
Electronic verification of attendance records
From 1 February 2022, services can use electronic means for the verification of attendance records.
Requirements are set out in the Funding Handbook (FHB). The amendments include:
- Chapter 11-1 will no longer require electronic attendance records to be verified in pen.
- The terms ‘Authorised signatory’ and ‘Electronic Signature’ will be added to the glossary.
- The Electronic Attendance Records Criteria will be added to the Funding Handbook.
The Electronic Attendance Records Criteria include requirements that services will need to meet if they wish to maintain and verify their attendance records electronically.
The use of electronic verification of attendance records will be optional. Services that continue to use paper-based systems will still be required to maintain and verify these in pen.
Electronic attendance records criteria – Ministry of Education
Licensing criteria guidance for NELP
From 1 January 2022, all licensed early childhood services/kōhanga reo must have regard for the National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP) within self-review and internal evaluation, and annual planning licensing criteria requirements.
The NELP set out Government’s priorities for what our education system needs to focus on across all sectors and places of learning, to help ensure the success and wellbeing of all ākonga/learners.
We shared draft guidance with you in the 30 September bulletin for centre-based, hospital based and home-based services. This guidance has now been confirmed:
Draft licensing criteria guidance for NELP – Early Learning Bulletin 30 September
Licensing criteria and guidance for home-based services (GMA5 and GMA7) [DOCX, 27.9 KB]
Guidance for kōhanga reo is provided by Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust. Whānau seeking more information about the NELP in kōhanga reo should contact their local District Manager.
Next year we would like to showcase the work services have been doing to have regard for the NELP. Let us know if you would be interested in sharing what you have been doing in He Pānui Kōhungahunga | Early Learning Bulletin (ece.info@education.co.nz).
You may also be interested to note that the Ministry regional Kaihautū Marautanga/Curriculum Leads are available to assist services in unpacking the NELP and are planning a small series of webinars in 2022.
In the interim, if you wish to make contact with your local Kaihautū Marautanga contact us
Ā Mātou Kōrero | Our Stories series now available
A collection of illustrated storybooks celebrating the Muslim communities in Aotearoa New Zealand are now available. This includes:
- Welcome Home
- Open day at the Mosque
- Ko wai au? – Who am I?
- Aya and the Butterfly, in English and Arabic versions
Ā Mātou Kōrero | Our Stories series are designed to support understanding of the Kiwi Muslim community. They were developed in partnership with the Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand (IWCNZ). The idea came about in the wake of the Christchurch attacks in March 2019.
The books cater to children in early learning and align with Te Whāriki. Print copies are being distributed to all early learning services.
Anyone can download the PDF and audio versions from the TKI website. The website also includes a teaching guide to assist conversations with learners.
Ā mātou kōrero | Our stories – TKI
For queries about the delivery of the printed copies, go to:
Updated funding information
In our 3 December bulletin we advised that in the Red traffic light setting services can use the EC12 exemption for enrolled children who do not attend. We have included more detailed information in relation to the Absence Rules including the process for “statements of intention to return” on our webpage.
Funding settings under the traffic light system – Early Learning Bulletin 3 December
EC12 under Red setting – Ministry of Education
We have also updated our funding-related frequently asked questions to reflect the new traffic light settings.
Rapid antigen testing for asymptomatic unvaccinated travellers over holiday period
Rapid antigen tests will be available to the public under supervision by community pharmacies from 15 December 2021 to 31 January 2022 and will be free of charge.
When the Auckland boundary lifts at 11.59pm on Tuesday 14 December, those travelling out of Auckland who are not fully vaccinated will need to carry with them evidence of a negative test result within 72 hours of travel.
Rapid antigen testing is only available for asymptomatic, unvaccinated individuals over 12 years and three months leaving Auckland (includes Port Waikato) and for those who are travelling in other parts of the country with a transport company that requires evidence of a negative test result (e.g., Air New Zealand, Interisland Ferry).
Supervised testing by local community pharmacies provides a convenient, reliable and trusted option for unvaccinated travellers. Off-the-shelf self-test rapid antigen tests are not available for use at home.
Find your community pharmacy offering this service at:
Testing requirements for asymptomatic unvaccinated travellers – Ministry of Health
Testing over the holiday break for unvaccinated travellers – Ministry of Health
Recently updated advice for early learning services
