Need-to-know | Me mātua mōhio#
Fuel Response Plan#
We sent a Special Early Learning Bulletin on 27 March to help you plan and prepare as part of the Government’s recently published Fuel Response Plan.
Keep an eye out for further updates through this channel.
If your early learning centre is part of an association or has a head office, we recommend you follow their advice and seek their support.
New education sector privacy guidance#
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) has developed new privacy guidance that will help frontline workers in the education sector make sure personal information is properly collected, used, and protected.
The guidance will help clarify privacy responsibilities when it comes to managing the personal information of children and young people, including how to safely share information when it’s necessary for the protection of children’s safety and wellbeing.
Privacy can be complex, particularly when it comes to children and young people, and it is crucial that personal information is handled respectfully, lawfully, and in a way that focuses on people’s rights. The new guidance reflects the critical importance of sharing information in the education sector. When that information is about learners, it’s even more essential to get the privacy thinking right.
The guidance can be found here:
Children's Privacy Project – Privacy Commissioner
Early Childhood Education Funding Review: Summary of engagement available#
The Ministerial Advisory Group Early Childhood Education Funding Review (MAG) has completed its initial engagement discovery phase, hearing people’s experiences and views on the challenges and opportunities in the ECE funding system.
A summary report on what the MAG has heard, and more information about its work and progress, is available at:
Early childhood education funding system review engagement
Next steps
MAG members are now considering what they have heard and learned and are working through the complex considerations to inform advice and recommendations to re-shape the ECE funding system. Consultation on indicative options is now anticipated mid-year, before the MAG completes further work finalising its advice and recommendations.
Heads-up | He kupu puaki#
Clarifying guidance for excursions#
We’ve received feedback about the guidance for excursions and accept that these need clarification.
We are working on this and you can expect updated guidance within the next two weeks.
Information poster about infectious illnesses
In the meantime, we have updated the health and safety practices guidelines with contact details for the National Public Health Service and a link to an infectious illness poster for home-based services. You can find those here:
