Issue 119 – Newsletter October 2020
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COVID-19 Updates
Aug
12
12
Playschool Group’s COVID-19 Safe Operating and Hygiene Guidelines for Home-Based Education.
In order to ensure the safety of our families, children, and educators, we will be operating and recommending the best health and safety measures as recommended by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Health is the lead organisation and The Ministry of Education is the second lead agency. Playschool Group will follow all Ministry of Health and Education advice and directives.
This remains a challenging situation for all of us – so we are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support and understanding during this time plus knowing you are doing everything to help New Zealand overcome this crisis.
You can also call the free government helpline on 0800 779 997 (8am – 1am, 7 days a week).
Message from the Secretary for Education
Kia ora koutou
The shift in alert levels announced by the Prime Minister last night was the last thing any of us wanted to hear, but thank you for the calm and sensible way you have responded to this latest news.
It’s good to know we are prepared this time but there is information below to remind you about the important things to do under the different alert levels.
We are working on various scenarios that might occur from midnight Friday so we can continue to support you but if you are concerned about anything, please get in touch with your local Ministry office.
You have done a wonderful job keeping your communities safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and I know you are best placed to continue to do so.
He waka eke noa
Iona
Responding to COVID-19 changes in Alert Levels
Following the announcements last night, Tuesday 11th August 2020, about new COVID-19 cases being confirmed with no known source of transmission, Alert Level 3 in Auckland and Alert Level 2 for the remainder of New Zealand is to be put in place from midday today, Wednesday 12th August, 2020.
You will already be familiar with alert level requirements and we confirm the following will apply for schools and early learning services:
Auckland Region
Alert Level 3 applies from Wednesday 12th August, 2020, midday today.
Home-based care, education and supervision of young children for more than one family in a home if public health control measures can be implemented. Children are encouraged to stay home, if caregiving is available.”
If your service does not have children of essential workers, if your service has children of essential workers but they don’t need to attend because caregiving is available at home, then your service may close. PLEASE NOTE: In Auckland, the Ministry of Education requires that bubble sizes of no more than 20 children, in the same physical space, be established. No mixing of children and adults between bubbles. Indoor minimum temperature needs to increase to 18 degrees Celsius.
- Schools and early learning services are open today and for the remainder of the week but only to those children who need to attend, particularly children of parents and caregivers working in essential services. Playcentres and playgroups are advised to close.
- Indoor minimum temperature for early learning services needs to increase to 18 degrees Celsius.
- Children at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 are encouraged to stay home where possible.
- A reminder to have good cleaning practices in place.
- Soap and water is appropriate for washing hands, particularly if hand sanitiser stocks are low.
- Schools and early learning services, like workplaces, are not considered gatherings — however for visitors including parents and caregivers, they must keep a 2 metre distance from others outside their household bubble and where possible should not come on the school site.
- No non-essential visitors.
- We recommend that excursions should be limited to only walks in your local area while maintaining physical distancing of 2 metres from others.
- Contact tracing remains a priority – through your visitor register, timetable and attendance register. Support your community by displaying the QR code posters for the NZ COVID Tracer App.
Masks
Masks are not required in early learning services or schools at Alert Levels 2 or 3.