This week, some children will be able to return to school. However, contrary to what the government first announced, returning to school is not on a voluntary basis. 

Principals' Federation President, Perry Rush, says Ministry of Education head, Iona Holsted, confirmed that schools will be able to enroll students on their physical sites during level three only if no one is available to care for them at home.

Distance learning will continue for children to learn from home, and only children whose parents cannot work from home will be allowed to attend schools physically. With the level three rules allowing the slight expansions of bubbles, there is also the option of shared care from relatives or friends, thereby helping avoid the return to school unless it's absolutely necessary. 

Schools and early learning centres have very thorough pandemic policies in place, which increase cleaning procedures and advise schools on how to stay safe and avoid the virus. Staff and children attending will be subjected to more rigorous hygiene practices, as will parents dropping off or picking up their children.

“Although this is a daunting time to be in close contact with others, we understand that parents need to return to work, and children need a place to go. The numbers in attendance will still be a lot lower than normal, and the advice from the Ministry of Health on how to keep everything as safe and clean as possible is very thorough. Once we are confident that things are running smoothly and the virus isn't likely to spread in our area, we can go back to regular attendance and have a sense of normality returned,” said one local early childhood teacher. 

The country will remain at level three for two weeks, a which point the government will consider the data on case numbers and transmission and make a decision on the next move. If we then move into level two, schools and early childhood facilities will be able to resume attendance as normal.