COVID-19 and EP

Updated 26/03/2021

Auckland ECE Relief Teachers
ep.education have been working through our applicability for the recent re-issue of the Wage Subsidy Scheme. This scheme covered when Auckland last moved to Level 3, on the 28th of February 2021. We had hoped that we would be able to use the Wage Subsidy to financially support affected relief teachers, as we have been able to in the past. Unfortunately ep.education were not able to apply for the last round of Wage Subsidy. We will therefore not be able to offer relief teachers the subsidy for this time.

If you would like some more information about the COVID-19 situation may be affecting you and/or your ability to work, please contact your local EP office for a chat with one of our Temporary Recruitment Consultants by calling 0508 TEACHER ext 1.

On 19 March 2020, it was announced that from 11.59PM that night, NZ borders are shut to everyone except NZ citizens and residents, with few exceptions. This announcement will affect some teachers who are due to arrive in NZ and begin a teaching role here. Please contact your EP recruiter for an update on your specific situation.

If your journey to New Zealand becomes more complicated as a result of COVID-19, please stay in touch with your EP recruiter or the EP Dream Jobs team.

We ran a webinar on Monday 30th March where we updated overseas teachers (not yet in NZ) who are wanting to teach in NZ on the current situation and answered many of their questions. This webinar was recorded and can be viewed here.

See our Returning Kiwis page for information specific to you.

Here are some resources we have collated, relating to the current situation:

• EP + COVID-19 (webinar by EP, aimed at overseas teachers wanting to teach in NZ)
• Support through COVID-19 & Beyond (webinar #1 by EP's temp team and aimed at relief teachers)
• Schools & Relief Teachers - FAQs (webinar #2 by EP's temp team and aimed at primary/secondary relief teachers)
• ECE Centres & Relief Teachers - FAQs (webinar #3 by EP's temp team and aimed at early childhood relief teachers)
• Teaching Online (webinar with Karen Tui Boyes)
• Teach From Home (resources collected by Google)
• Coronavirus and Early Childhood Education: What you Need to Know and Answers to Questions (NZ ECE specific information)
• Course: Hand Hygiene (free Ministry of Health course on infection prevention)
• COVID-19 Information for NZEI Te Riu Roa Members
• What can people do to protect themselves and others from getting the new coronavirus? (video from World Health Organisation)
• Calm (free resources to help with supporting mental and emotional wellness)
• Mindfulness Resources (more free resources to help with supporting wellness)
• Keeping Anxiety in Check Amidst Uncertainty (podcast from Radio NZ)
• Teaching Online (free webinar)
• What Kids Want to Know About Coronavirus (comic exploring the virus)
• How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus (article with helpful tips)
• List of Education Companies offering Free Subscriptions (note this is a US website)