Resources for schools and early childhood centres

The National Child and Youth Clinical Diabetes Network, in consultation and collaboration with consumer representatives, has undertaken significant work looking at available school diabetes health resources across New Zealand, identifying educational gaps and determining specific resources required to support the safe care of children and youth with diabetes in schools.

One of the primary outcomes of this work is the development of a collection of diabetes action and management plans. This collection of documents is intended to provide a formal guide for the consistent care and management of children and young people with diabetes in schools and early childcare organisations.

On this page:

  • Introduction to Type 1 Diabetes: A Guide for Schools

  • Diabetes Action and Management Plans

  • Diabetes and School Camps Guidelines

  • Exams and diabetes information

  • Device guides for schools

  • Educational funding for children under 5 years

 

Diabetes Action and Management Plans

Diabetes action and management plans provide a formal guide for the consistent care and management of children and young people with diabetes in schools and early childcare organisations. 

The Diabetes Action and Management Plans should be printed and then completed by hand by the diabetes treating team, in consultation with the young person and their family.

It is recommended that these plans are reviewed and updated at least once per year. 

Up-to-date Diabetes Action and Management Plans, both for kindergarten or early childhood and for primary and secondary schools, are available on the Starship website.

Diabetes and School Camps Guidelines

It is important that any child with diabetes can fully participate in the school curriculum. This involves school camps and excursions, regardless of whether it is a day event or overnight. For these to be successful, preparation is paramount. The following guideline includes checklists of things that both family and whānau need to consider as well as the school.

Exams and diabetes information

This information has been produced by the New Zealand Child and Youth Clinical Networks in partnership with the Paediatric Society of New Zealand and supported by the Ministry of Health.

Device guides for schools

Letter re Cellphones in School - Diabetes

Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) School Guide

Educational funding for children under 5 years

Children under 5 years are not eligible for High Health Needs Funding from the Ministry of Health, but it may be possible to access funding support, for example for teacher aides,  via the Ministry of Education.

Each region of the country will have different guidelines around eligibility criteria and the application process. You can find more information about Learning Support Services on the Ministry of Education’s website.

A list of the Ministry of Education’s local ministry offices for local/regional contact information is also available on their website.