We appreciate how much you have had to respond to and adjusting for in the last weeks building up to the commencement today of a New Zealand-wide lockdown. There has been a lot of information to absorb and from a range of providers. Today will be bringing new challenges for you as parents, family and whānau adjust to supporting your child’s learning from home.

Key dates reminder

26 March            Alert Level 4 commenced
28 March            School holidays begin
10 – 14 April      Easter including the Tuesday after Easter
15 April               Term 2 begins (through distance learning)
22 April               Current date for ending of lockdown period
27 April               ANZAC Day observed

Key lockdown messages from the Prime Minister (Select Committee Media Briefing 25 March)

• If the virus is left unchecked it will have an unacceptable toll on New Zealanders
• Staying at home will break the chain and save lives
• Breaking the rules could risk someone close to you
• if the rules are not complied with, this could risk the lock down period being extended or could risk the virus being spread to thousands
• Success will not be instant. The benefit of actions taken today will not be felt for many days to come. People need to expect the numbers to continue rising, because they will. Modelling indicates that New Zealand could have several thousand cases before today’s measures have an impact. However, if everyone sticks to the rules there will be change over time
• Act like you have COVID-19. Every move you make could be a risk to someone else. That is how New Zealanders must collectively think now
• All New Zealanders are urged to be calm, be kind, stay at home
• if people have no explanation of why they are outside the Police will remind them of their obligations and can take enforcement actions if they feel it is necessary
• New Zealanders will want to do the right thing. The Government is being as clear as they can on the guidance and Police will be working with people to help them understand
• Government’s goal is to keep people connected to their employer through the wage subsidy, and said if that was not happening then they have the backup mechanism of the welfare system
• In regard to those overseas – even under the most difficult of circumstances – New Zealand is their home.

Update on the provision of home-based supervision and care for the children (aged 0-14 years) of essential workers

As advised, the Government has agreed that three large home-based providers (Barnardos, Edubase and PORSE) will provide additional support to essential service workers, where workers are not able to make their own arrangements. These providers have national coverage.

The level of demand from essential service workers is not yet clear and we are exploring all options to make sure that essential service workers can do the important work necessary. In particular we are working with the wider network of home based providers to identify additional carers in areas of high demand. 

Essential workers should still continue to contact one of the following three providers if they have been unable to make their own arrangements:

• Barnardos – covid19enquiries@barnardos.org.nz
• Edubase – Home Grown Kids & Kids at Home 0508 44 54 37 or info@hgk.co.nz
• PORSE 0800 023 456

Wellbeing for all

We have information focused on wellbeing and supporting a child’s learning at home for parents, caregivers and whānau. It may also be useful for teachers. This resource adds to the information we have previously provided supporting conversations with children about COVID-19 – http://education.govt.nz/school/health-safety-and-wellbeing/pastoral-care-and-wellbeing/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-coronavirus/.

Further information to support wellbeing
The Ministry of Health’s website includes Top ways to look after your mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 lockdown.
https://www.iamhope.org.nz/ – I AM HOPE is the youth and community focused support group run by The Key to Life Charitable Trust, started by Mike King.
https://www.facebook.com/nathanwallisxfactoreducation/ – Nathan Wallis has some helpful videos on his Facebook page for parents and whānau
https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/covid-19/ – tips on looking after mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 from the Mental Health foundation
https://depression.org.nz/covid-19/ – a website by the Health Promotion Agency to help New Zealanders recognise and understand depression and anxiety. `
25 Mental Health Wellness Tips during Quarantine from Eileen M Feliciano, Psy.D. – although overseas-based this is a good list and highlights some things particularly important for children. Remember the rules of New Zealand’s level 4 lockdown still apply.

Remember, be kind to yourself and others.

We’ll add more resources to our website. This week we’re developing tip sheets to support parents to navigate common challenges they may have with toddlers, children and young people through this time – for example, a tip sheet on getting a good night’s sleep. 

Removing data caps for internet
In addition to Spark, Vodafone, Vocus/Slingshot, and 2Degrees (Covid-19 Update – March 25), Trustpower has now also advised they have removed their data caps and the possibility of any extra charges based on usage – Ask.Trustpower.co.nz – “we’ve removed data limits for all fixed-line broadband customers to make sure everyone can stay connected. You’ll be able to keep in touch with family and friends, work or study from home, and receive vital updates without having to worry about exceeding your data limit”.

Home Learning Daily Schedule Option

Before 9:00am	Wake up	Eat breakfast, make your bed, get dressed, put any dirty clothes in the laundry
9:00-10:00	Morning walk	Family walk with the dog, bike ride, Yoga if it’s raining
10:00-11:00	Learning at home	School-led learning or Sudoku, books, flash cards, study guide, journal etc
11:00-12:00	Creative time	Legos, magnatiles, drawing, crafting, play music, cook or bake etc.
12:00 pm	Lunch 🙂
12:30	Helping at home	# wipe all kitchen tables and chairs # wipe all door handles, light switches and desk tops # wipe both bathrooms – sinks and toilets
1:00-2:30	Quiet time	Reading, puzzles, nap, radio NZ stories
2:30-4:00	Learning at home	School-led learning or iPad games, Prodigy, Educational show
4:00-5:00	Afternoon fresh air	Bikes, walk the dog, play outside
5:00-6:00	Dinner 🙂
6:00-8:00	Free TV time	Kids shower time
8:00	Bedtime	All kids
9:00pm	Bedtime	All kids who follow the daily schedule & don’t fight

*Adapted from a resource developed by Jessica McHale Photography

Pasifika Families

For Pasifika families, if you are not aware the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ has been working to ensure useful information is available to Pacific peoples. A one-hour special will be aired on Tagata Pasifika’s segment on Saturday at 9am; and on Sunday at 7.35am, Tagata Pasifika will share messages from community leaders. The Ministry is asking you to reach out to all your family members, community groups, friends and group chats to ensure our Pacific community groups are watching the programming on both days.

Thank You

A big thank you to all of you for taking the lockdown so seriously. As the Prime Minister has noted staying at home will break the chain and save lives; breaking the rules could risk someone close to you and if the rules are not complied with, this could risk the lock down period being extended or could risk the virus being spread to thousands.