Contents
Childcare Assistance Programme : Contents

Absences

Most providers charge a fee when a child is temporarily away. This fee is charged to hold the child's place open at the service or the centre.

MSD can pay the OSCAR Subsidy for up to 3 weeks at any one time when a child is away from the service or centre and the period of absence coincides with the time the programme is available.

This can occur more than once in the client's review year. However, if a child is consistently absent their hours of attendance should be reviewed to ensure that the subsidy paid reflects this.

Medical exceptions

Payment can continue for up to 6 weeks if the child is absent due to their medical condition and the period of absence coincides with the time the programme is available. For example if the child:

  • has a medical certificate from a Health Practitioner stating that they will be away from the centre for longer than 3 weeks

For example if the child has a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner stating they need to be away from the centre for longer than 3 weeks

A medical certificate is not required if the child gets:

  • Child Disability Allowance or
  • Group Special Education funding

This can occur more than once in the client's review year. However, if a child is consistently absent, their hours of attendance should be reviewed to ensure that the subsidy paid reflects this.

For more information see:

COVID-19 Absences and closures

Legislation

  • Payment of assistance during child's absence Regulation 28 Social Security Regulations 2018
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A medical practitioner is commonly referred to as a doctor. Medical practitioners are health practitioners who are registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand as practitioners of the profession of medicine and hold a current practising certificate.

All medical practitioners have a unique identifying number called a Health Practitioners Index number (HPI number).

Medical practitioners don't need to have completed their training in New Zealand but must be registered with the New Zealand ...

Nurse practitioners are health practitioners who are registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and hold a current annual practising certificate.

Nurse practitioners are expert or specialist nurses with advanced education, clinical training and experience. They have demonstrated clinical competence and have the legal authority to practice as independent healthcare providers.

All nurse practitioners have a unique identifying number called a Health Practitioners Index number (HPI number).

Some nurse practitioners have specialised ...