Centre-based services will receive one-off funding on Wednesday 20 July to help maintain healthy levels of heating and ventilation through winter.

We know that natural ventilation is effective in achieving good air quality, even partially opened windows allow air to circulate. 

Balancing the need to naturally ventilate spaces, to minimise COVID-19 transmission, and maintaining comfortable temperatures may take some practice as all spaces operate slightly differently. 

This funding will support centre-based services to prioritise ventilation while maintaining the regulated minimum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.

Centre-based services will be placed in one of three funding bands, depending on their maximum licence size:

For centre-based services that receive Targeted Funding for Disadvantage we will also provide a one-off payment of $377.20 (incl. GST) to fund portable carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors. 

The monitors provide an excellent indication of the adequacy of ventilation. Information on assessing ventilation in your service can be found on our website. 

The amount reflects the price of the CO2 monitors currently available through our chosen supplier at a discounted price. For details of how to purchase a monitor refer to Te Mahau website. Remember to add the discount code ‘3DUCATION’ at checkout.

Assessing ventilation – Te Mahau

Our website has more information on ventilation in early childhood services.

Ventilation in early childhood services – Te Mahau

The Ministry of Health has updated its advice on getting infected again with COVID-19 within 90 days of a previous COVID-19 infection in light of increasing evidence that reinfections can occur earlier than 90 days. 

The latest evidence shows that getting COVID-19 again within a short period of time can happen – but it’s unclear how common it is. Reinfection is also more likely as new variants spread among the community.

• You are more likely to become reinfected as your immune response from the vaccine or your previous COVID-19 infection decreases over time.
• If a person develops new COVID-19 symptoms and it’s 29 days or more since their previous infection, it’s possible that it’s a reinfection with COVID-19 and they should take a rapid antigen test.
• If it is 28 days or fewer since the last infection, there’s no need to test.
• Within 28 days, symptoms are most likely due to lasting effects of the initial infection or a different new respiratory infection. A new COVID-19 infection is difficult to diagnose within 28 days because symptoms, viral levels and test positivity may fluctuate during this time.
• COVID-19-like symptoms may well be caused by other infections like the common cold, flu or a chest infection.
• For most people, illness caused by reinfection is likely to be no more severe than a first infection, but they can experience different symptoms.
• If a person is not getting better, or becoming increasingly unwell, they should call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or their doctor/healthcare provider.

Evidence on reinfections is evolving rapidly. The Ministry of Health is constantly monitoring what’s happening internationally and updating their guidance to ensure it is in line with the latest public health advice.

Updated advice for the public and information for health workers on testing for possible reinfection is on the Ministry of Health website.

Catching COVID-19 again – Ministry of Health

A second booster of the COVID-19 vaccine was made available to those at increased risk of severe illness from Tuesday 28 June.

Boosters – Ministry of Health

Is it recommended that these booster doses are especially prioritised by:

• everyone over the age of 50 (and is recommended for anyone over the age of 65)
• Māori and Pacific peoples aged 50 years and over
• people who are severely immunocompromised
• health, aged-care and disability workers over the age of 30.

The second booster dose is available six months after the previous dose, and it should be postponed for three months after a COVID-19 infection.

Anyone who is eligible for a second booster can book an appointment for a booster dose through Book My Vaccine or by calling the COVID-19 vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, seven days a week).

Book My Vaccine – Ministry of Health

For those who are not considered at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, a two-dose primary course and a booster dose provides very good protection against severe illness from COVID-19.

We continue to encourage everyone to get their COVID-19 booster.

Centrally funded one-on-one counselling services through EAP Services have been extended and will be available until the end of December this year.

Employee assistance programme – Te Mahau

All staff at state and state-integrated schools, kura, early learning services (including kōhanga reo, kindergartens, playcentres and home-based services) are eligible to access these services. There will continue to be no charge for these services.

As a reminder, EAP services are not intended to replace existing services you already offer staff, but rather to supplement any existing local wellbeing and counselling services. These EAP services were established to provide additional support to the education workforce in response to COVID-19.

Find further information about EAP by visiting the EAP website or by calling 0800 327 669.

Employee assistance programme – EAP services

A reminder about Gold Star, a free programme to support the wellbeing and health of everyone working in education. 

Gold Star is a supportive online learning environment provided by EAP which contains a suite of wellbeing-related tools and information, including e-learning modules and webinars.

We encourage your staff to register now on the Gold Star website.

Gold Star programme information – EAP Services

Children aged 3 to 12 years old can get a free flu vaccination from their GP, healthcare provider or at most pharmacies from this Friday 1 July.

Free flu jabs for tamariki – Ministry of Health

Talk to your health provider as tamariki under 9 years old may need one or two vaccinations depending on whether they’ve had a flu vaccine before.

If tamariki have recently had COVID-19 they can have a flu jab as soon as they’ve recovered.

The annual early childhood education (ECE) census week is completed. 

All early learning services need to submit an electronic ECE return through their student management system (SMS) or ELI Web or an RS61 return by Thursday 7 July. 

Please ensure we receive your census on time. Submitting an accurate ECE census is a mandatory requirement of the Education Training Act 2020. Your funding may be withheld for non-compliance. 

The ECE census uses data held in your SMS when you submit your census. So, it is important that all child and staff information is complete and up to date.

Prior to submitting your ECE return:

• Early learning services submitting an ECE return via their SMS must ensure the latest version of software is being used (new functionality released for the 2022 ECE return won’t be visible in previous versions). Contact your SMS provider if you are unsure.
• All children must be allocated a National Student Number (NSN), enrolment data must be up to date (end enrolments for children who have left your service) and attendance data submitted promptly.
• Staff details must all be up to date including demographic, qualifications, and certification expiry dates. Ensure staff who have left your service (including relievers) have an end date of employment entered.

Casual and hospital-based services and playgroups need to submit using the relevant RS61 Excel form that is available for download from the Education Counts website.

Services not using ELI – Education Counts

We can post a copy of the RS61 form to you if you prefer using paper-based RS61 returns. You can request a paper copy by emailing us at the email address listed below.

You can read more about ECE return common questions on our website or email us at ece.statistics@education.govt.nz.

ECE census – Ministry of Education

Recent weather events, lockdowns, and volcanic activity are a reminder to review your evacuation, lockdown and shelter in place plans.

This may also be a good time to check in with key groups who will lead your local response to emergencies, such as Civil Defence and Emergency Management, Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, District Health Boards (DHBs) and Oranga Tamariki. Make sure they have your correct contact details in case they need to contact your early learning service in an emergency.

Our emergency management plan and planning guidance can support any conversations or review mahi you may wish to undertake and include the quick checklist for your overall emergency management plan. 

Emergency management plan and planning guidance – Ministry of Education

Emergency planning checklist – Ministry of Education

The template for parents and caregivers may be useful when communicating your emergency plans to your broader community.

Letter template: Emergency management information for parents and caregivers [DOCX, 55 KB]

As you may be aware, the Government announced as part of Budget 2022 that from January 2023, an Equity Index (EQI) will be implemented for schools and kura. With the introduction of the EQI, deciles will be phased out.

Tomorrow schools and kura will receive information about their 2023 EQI number. This is specific to schools and kura and does not affect early learning services. 

Because the existing Equity Index for early learning works in much the same way as deciles, we are also currently developing a new EQI for early learning.

Budget 2022 included funding to begin some of the changes needed to implement a new EQI. However, any decision to implement a new EQI for early learning is subject to future budget decisions.

Read more about our work on a new EQI for early learning services on our website.

Review of equity and targeted funding – Ministry of Education