What ORS is#
ORS is a package of support for tamariki | children who have the highest need for learning support. The scheme helps them participate alongside other children when they start school.
Applications for ORS can be made at any time for children 4 years and 8 months or older. Children who receive ORS will start receiving support when they enrol at school.
Who makes the application#
An educator takes responsibility for completing the application form. This person is usually a:
- registered early learning teacher
- early intervention teacher
- key worker for a child.
They will work with the parents, whānau, specialists, teachers and others who know the student well to understand the student's needs. They will write the application.
Application process#
Educators should prepare the application in collaboration with whānau | parents and the team around the child. Writers of the application should have worked with the child directly where possible and know them well.
Read the ORS information sheet and guide before you start the application process and for guidance as you complete the application.
Early childhood ORS application form information sheetGuide for completing early childhood applicationsCompleting the application forms#
Children must meet at least 1 of 9 criteria. The criteria are outlined in our guidance. The guidelines also outline what happens after you apply.
The Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) guidelinesUse our early childhood ORS application form for all applications (high and very high needs) unless your child clearly meets 1 of the very high criteria. You should submit this form 3-4 months before the child enrols in school.
Early childhood ORS application formUse our very high needs forms for children who clearly have very high needs. It is important to identify which criterion the student meets. Choose the form that fits the criterion most relevant for your child. Please note each application has a page limit.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ongoing Resourcing SchemeORS application form criterion 1 (learning)ORS application form criterion 2.1 (hearing)ORS application form criterion 2.2 (hearing)ORS application form criterion 2.3 (vision)ORS application form criterion 3 (physical)More information about the forms#
| Competencies | EC ORS (full) application form | ECVH Needs C1 (streamlined) | ECVH Needs C2.1, 2.2, 2.3 (streamlined) | ECVH Needs C3 (streamlined) | ECVH Needs C4 (streamlined) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belonging | Yes | Yes | |||||
| Wellbeing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| Exploration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Communication | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Contribution | Yes | ||||||
| Interventions | Yes | ||||||
| Other information | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Letter explaining reasons for decline | Yes | ||||||
| Request a review | Yes | ||||||
| Add info request | Yes | ||||||
If using the streamlined very high needs form:
- When the information provided in the application does not indicate a child meets ORS at the very high level and there is enough information to include the child at high needs, then the child will be verified high needs and a letter will be sent to the educator.
- When a child is verified high needs, the letter provided will not explain the verifiers’ decision because the very high needs application should only be used for children who clearly have very high needs.
If you, the team and the whānau | parents feel the child’s needs are at the very high level, complete a full Early Childhood application:
- When the information provided in the streamlined application form does not indicate the child meets ORS at the very high level and there is not enough information to include the child at high needs then the child will not be ORS verified, and a letter will be sent to the educator.
The educator will need to discuss the decision with the whānau | parents and give them their copy of the letter. If you, the team and the whānau |parents feel the child’s needs are at the very high level please complete a full Early Childhood application.
Submitting the form#
Once the form is complete, email it to us or contact your regional office.
Email: [email protected]
