Further support for affected ECE services

During the earthquake recovery period ECE services reopening may have experienced higher than expected levels of child or staff absences.

On 1 March 2011 licensed ECE services received advanced funding for March, April, May and June. ECE services open in Christchurch City between 22 February and 30 June 2011 will not have any of this advanced funding recovered. Services will receive wash-up payments if their actual entitlement is greater than the advance payment.

ECE services that remain closed

ECE services that do not think they will be open by 30 June should contact the Christchurch Ministry office to discuss funding options. Each situation will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Further support may be available through the Ministry of Social Development's Earthquake Employment Support Package or the Canterbury Business Recovery Group's Business Recovery Trust Fund.

July funding payment

All services will need to submit their RS7 (funding claim) forms for the July 2011 payment. The actual funded child hours, staff hour count, discretionary hours/situations (as applicable) and all child absences will need to be recorded as per the usual requirements. See Funding handbook for more information on funding for ECE services.

Continuous absence rule

The three week rule for continuous absence was suspended between 22 February and 28 March 2011. This means all licensed ECE services in Christchurch City and Waimakariri and Selwyn Districts may claim funding for all sessions/days a child was enrolled to attend, but was absent from, until 28 March 2011.

From 29 March 2011

• The three week rule for continuous absence is reinstated.

Dual enrolments

We have allowed dual enrolments for children enrolled in ECE services in Christchurch City, Selwyn District or Waimakariri District who have temporarily enrolled in an another ECE service. From 29 March 2011 we will no longer fund dual enrolments, but services can apply the three week rule for continuous absence which will provide up to three weeks funding for the absent child. 

• The child's regular ECE service must apply the absence rules for all children that are enrolled at their service but not attending. The temporary ECE service will still be able to claim funding for any children from the affected areas enrolled in their service