It is important that anyone who is unwell takes time to rest and recover.

However, if someone is isolating due to being a close contact or at a location of interest, for example, or is not experiencing significant symptoms of COVID-19, then they may be able to continue working from home.

As outlined in the 3 February bulletin, a visiting teacher may use electronic methods to connect with educators and children in the Red setting. This means the monthly visit requirements could continue to be met by a visiting teacher who was self-isolating.

Home-based services at Red – Early Learning Bulletin 3 February 

However, a key requirement of the person responsible is the ability to respond in person to support educators in emergency situations. If a visiting teacher is in isolation, they will not be able to fulfil this part of their role. A service provider must ensure that there is another option for educators should they require in-person support. For example, a visiting teacher from another licence, or an officer of the service provider who has been appropriately safety-checked and meets the vaccination mandate requirements.

Service providers must ensure all educators are fully aware of the process to follow should an emergency arise while their usual visiting teacher is unavailable. There is no requirement to proactively notify the Ministry of these details, however your education advisor may request this information as part of follow up around positive COVID-19 cases and close contacts.

Home-based services that run certified playgroups are subject to the general rules for close proximity services. This includes the requirement that adults attending wear a medical-grade mask while indoors. 

A playgroup that is not certified is considered a gathering and must meet the general gathering rules – that also includes wearing a mask in some circumstances. 

Gatherings and visits on Red – Unite Against COVID-19

A risk assessment must be undertaken for any event or excursion, which would include holding a playgroup. You should ensure your risk assessment process has been updated to consider the specific risks posed by the increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and that appropriate mitigation measures are put in place if you choose to go ahead. 

If an educator is unable to provide education and care because they are following public health requirements around COVID-19 then funding can continue to be claimed for the children that would usually have attended the home.

This means that if the educator is isolating on public health advice because they are unwell with COVID-19, a member of their household has tested positive, they have been at a location of interest or are awaiting test results, then funding can continue. 

This is similar to the emergency closure funding that would be available to a centre if they couldn’t operate because teachers needed to isolate or were unwell due to COVID-19.

However, as the Emergency Closure code can only be used at a service level – that is, when the entire service is closed – this funding will be provided through a temporary change in the absence rules. Usually, absence funding is not available for children who can’t attend because their educator is unavailable.

While at Red, absence funding can be claimed by a service if the reason the educator is unavailable is as described above. It is not available if the educator has chosen not to offer care while at Red. 

Today we have published updated operating guidance for certified playgroups in line with recent changes to requirements at Red.

COVID-19 Protection Framework advice for early learning services – Te Mahu

Certified playgroups have been classified as close proximity services under the COVID Protection Framework. This means that in the Red setting all adults attending playgroups must have a valid vaccine pass and are required to wear medical grade masks. (Vaccine passes are also required at Orange)

Some certified playgroups have alerted us they will not open while vaccine requirements are in place. This means the playgroup cannot operate at the Red setting (or Orange).

If your playgroup has made this choice, please ensure you contact your local Ministry Playgroup Advisor who will put your playgroup into temporary recess. Playgroups that do not open are not eligible for operational funding.

We are also aware that some playgroups are having difficulty with access to their usual premises because of restrictions on visitors or group numbers in public facilities. Please note your Ministry Playgroup Advisor may be able to suggest alternative options in the community to enable your playgroup to continue meeting at Red.

Local Te Mahau office – Ministry of Education

The Request for Proposal applications have now opened for the Strengthening Early Learning Opportunities (SELO) provider panel on GETS. SELO is a professional development programme for the early learning sector.

SELO will be grouped into two programmes:

1. Support to meet licensing requirements – professional development to support services to meet the Ministry’s licensing requirements.
2. Regionally allocated professional development – flexible and tailored professional development to support services to meet the National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP’s).

A facilitator will work with management and teachers in early learning services to support a positive shift in teaching practice towards delivering high quality early learning.

We are seeking providers that can develop and implement tailored, targeted and culturally responsive professional development to meet the needs of the early learning sector.

If you would like to find out more or are interested in submitting a proposal, register on GETS.

Submit a proposal – GETS

Applications opened on Friday 4 February and close on Friday 11 March.

If you know someone looking to complete a teaching qualification, TeachNZ scholarships are open.

Scholarships – Teach NZ

Scholarships pay for their recipient’s course fees and provide a $10,000 total allowance over the duration of study.

• Applications for Te Huarau and Te Tipu Whakarito scholarships can be made for any teaching subject or sector. Priority is given to applications for:
  • science, engineering, technology, maths and te reo Māori
  • early learning and Māori-medium.
• Kupe scholarships are open to Māori and Pacific high achievers who wish to study in any teaching subject or sector.

Applications opened on Tuesday 1 February and close on Monday 28 February.