Educational Settings Ratonga Mātauranga

Resource Teachers Vision (RTV) typically begin visiting families shortly after the child has first been diagnosed as blind, deafblind or low vision. At this time, the family learns about their child’s needs and begins the unfamiliar journey of navigating the services that they and their child may require. This can be a confusing and emotional time for families – the RTV can support the family through these challenges. The RTV will then begin to support the family in enhancing the child’s development, initially in the home and then within the early childhood centre and school environments.

BLENNZ RTVs are trained teachers with qualifications in working with children. There is an expectation that all permanent teaching staff will complete the Postgraduate Diploma Specialist Teaching (Blind and Low Vision). The RTV can visit you in your home, early childhood centre or school, depending on the needs of the child. The RTV will work with you to assess your child’s vision needs, to support you and family, and to develop a programme to support your child’s education needs. If you have not already been referred to BLENNZ, you can do the referral yourself by contacting your local Visual Resource Centre or the campus school team through the Contact us page.

Choosing an early childhood education service

At some time, you will likely choose to enrol your child in an early childhood centre. When this occurs, the RTV may continue to support your child, both in the home and in the early childhood centre. The RTV can also refer you to additional support services if these are needed and can help you to choose an early childhood centre. New Zealand has many types of early childhood education services to choose from. Each type has its own way of working with children and with families and whānau.

Some offer all-day education and care; some offer only a part-day service.

Generally speaking, services fall into two main categories.

• Teacher-led — where registered teachers provide the education and care, e.g., kindergartens and early childhood education centres.
• Parent-led — where parents, families and whānau provide the education and care for their own and other children, e.g., Playcentres and kōhanga reo.

If you’re not sure about the service best suited to you and your child, talk to someone in your child’s vision team for advice and guidance. You might like to visit a few services before deciding on the right one. Someone in your child's vision team is available for support when visiting centres if you would like. Ask for time with the people in charge so they can answer any questions you may have.

Te Whāriki is the Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum policy statement. Te Whāriki is a framework that focuses on learning partnerships between the child, teachers and whānau based on the child’s needs and sociocultural context.

There are a number of partner agencies that you may wish to be in contact with, that includes:

• Blind Low Vision NZ.
• Kāpō Māori Aotearoa New Zealand Inc.
• Parent To Parent.
• Parents of Vision Impaired (PVI).
• Deafblind Association New Zealand.
• Learning Support, Ministry of Education.
• Disability Services, Ministry of Health.
• The Well Child - Tamariki Ora Programme.

You can find more information about the early years by visiting The Vision Book: The Early Years section of our website. This document is also available from your Resource Teacher: Vision.

Starting school is a big landmark for you and your child. Most children and young people who are blind, deafblind and low vision attend their local school where they will be supported by a Resource Teacher Vision (RTV), as part of the school teaching team. But that is not the only option.

In some areas there are special schools which your child may be eligible for, there's also home schooling and Conductive Education centres. As a parent and whānau, you may want to look at all options and find the best fit for you and  your child.

Finding the right school

It takes time to find the right school for your child, so plan to make visits to local schools well ahead. Your RTV or your local Special Education Early Intervention teacher will be alongside you as look for the right school for your child. You can also find more information on the Enrolling and starting your child at school page on the Ministry of Education website.

Funding and support

Your RTV or your local Special Education Early Intervention teacher will also provide information on any extra funding that may be available to provide extra support for your child in school. They will walk you through all the paper work. More information is on the Learning Support, Ministry of Education page.

How will my child learn alongside everyone else?

In New Zealand the curriculum is provided through Te Whāriki: Early childhood curriculum and The New Zealand Curriculum. These provide the basis for all children’s education. You may also hear the words Expanded Core Curriculum. This is the tool that helps children and young people who are blind, deaf blind and low vision to access and participate in the regular curriculum as well as develop skills of independence.

With you and your child at the centre, the teaching team will plan together how to create a successful, supportive, learning environment for you and your child. The RTV will work alongside to support the team as they adapt the school environment, the resources and the way they teach to meet the needs of your child through out your child's school life.

First-hand experience of finding the right school

Video 1: Sharon describes what it was like when Boston started school at 5 years old.

If you have a story or even just a comment you would like to share, get in touch with BLENNZ via our Contact Us page.