Attendance

• While all children can attend according to their normal attendance pattern, parents/caregivers are encouraged to consider minimising the number of children and other adults their children are interacting with.
• Parents/caregivers who can supervise their children at home are encouraged to do so. This doesn’t prevent parent-led services from opening.

Children with complex medical needs

• Parents of children with complex medical needs will need to consider whether it is appropriate for their child to attend early learning.
• Parents may seek advice from their health professional.

Face Masks

• No masks are required for children or staff. 
• However, staff are strongly encouraged to wear masks if they are working in more than one service. 
• Visitors (including parents) are required to wear masks when indoors for any length of time. 
• Parents are encouraged to wear masks when dropping off/picking up even if they remain outdoors.

Events

• Events involving parents and other members of the community should be limited.
• Events need to meet any requirements for events and gatherings under the framework.

Visitors

• No non-essential visitors on site.
• Visiting teachers in home-based services can visit homes in person, but can also consider providing support remotely to some educators and children.
• Visitors must also meet any other health requirements applicable at the time.

Support services and agencies on site

Essential services include but are not limited to Ministry of Education, Education Review Office, Police, Fire.

• Learning support services continue onsite.
• Essential Ministry functions continue onsite at the Red setting.
• Minimise attendance on site for non-essential services as much as possible.
• Those on site must be included in a visitor register and must meet any other health requirements applicable at the time.

Vans

• Vans can be used as normal but should be regularly cleaned.
• Encourage physical distancing between adults involved in the pick-up/drop-off.
• Masks are encouraged to be worn by adults in the van.

Food

• Children are strongly encouraged to have separate food containers and should not give or take food to/ from each other. Food can be supplied in accordance with standard good hygiene practices.
  
  MPI guidance on food safety

Excursions

• Consider whether it is appropriate for excursions to take place outside of your local area.
• Any excursions will need to meet the wider public health measures.
• As normal, a risk assessment must be undertaken ahead of the excursion being approved by the person responsible.

Funding

Funding rules will apply largely as usual, and have been adapted to support services to operate under the new framework.

Funding settings under the new traffic light system

Operation of playgroups

• Playgroups can only open for all families.

Access on site

• Children can attend more than one service type, but parents/caregivers are encouraged to consider minimising the number of children and other adults their children are interacting with.
• All adults present at the playgroup must wear a medical-grade face mask (e.g. blue surgical masks).
• Parents/caregivers and visitors are encouraged to maintain physical distancing from other adults wherever possible.
• Playgroups are strongly encouraged not to hold events to prevent further transmission. Any events must meet wider public health measures.
• No non-essential visitors on site.

Food

• Children/tamariki should have separate food containers and should not give or take food to/ from each other. Food can be supplied in accordance with standard good hygiene practices.
• Adults must also ensure they are not sharing food, crockery or cutlery.

Cleaning

• You should have a cleaning schedule for regular cleaning of high touch surfaces, toys and resources.
• Toys and resources that cannot be easily wiped down should be put away.

Ministry certification activity

• Any required on site certification activity can take place. Desk-based assessments should be made where appropriate.
• Masks are required to be worn by Ministry staff and physical distance should be kept from other adults.

Funding

• Usual funding rules apply.