Covid 19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Northland essential workers can get free childcare from today

Northland's essential workers can get free access to childcare from today if that is an impediment to them doing their crucial work.

Northland's essential workers can get free access to childcare from today if needed.
Minister of Education Chris Hipkins announced yesterday that childcare is available again for workers in alert level 4 businesses and services, from today.

Hipkins said the Government is restarting childcare for workers in level 4 businesses and services, which was available during last year's national lockdown.

He said workers who have children aged up to 13-years-old can access free care, so they are able to continue to provide the essential services we need during the current lockdown.

Northland centres taking part in the scheme include: Back2Nature Childcare in Whangārei; Mauri Education and Social Services in Kaitaia, Whangārei, Kaikohe, Pawarenga, Ahipara; Porse natural childcare and Paua childcare.

"Providing a free and flexible service to our essential workers is really important and one way to reduce their stress as they go about their vital work on behalf of us all," Hipkins said.

"We still don't know for how long we'll be in level 4. We'll know more (today), but essential workers need to be able to plan and putting this service in place from tomorrow will give them some valuable peace of mind."

The scheme is for the workers in level 4 businesses and services, and other exempted services such as fire and emergency and border workers.

It is also only for those level 4 workers who do not have childcare in place – parents are expected to use their own private arrangements where possible.

"These providers may offer options for childcare under the scheme either in the child's home, or in the carer's home. We're aiming to provide as much flexibility as possible for those workers who need it,'' Hipkins said.

"Just like last lockdown, these are all licensed services that usually provide home-based early childhood education – so all the safety checks have been done. And, just like last time, each carer will be limited to caring for children from a total of one family only."

A list of 32 providers, with national coverage, and more details of the scheme is available for parents to contact at: https://www.education.govt.nz/covid-19/childcare-for-workers-of-alert-level-4-business-or-services-scheme/