Take your time, be prudent & get to know your stuff
It can be daunting coming to preschool or childcare options for the first time. There are loads of providers and you'll want to the fit right for your child and family.
Here's where we try to support you with this in terms of the costs, your entitlements and subsidies and who does what.
We recommend that you take your time, do your research, and ask around to see what friends and family have done, and who they'd recommend.
And then there's the other stuff to consider: what does ECE even stand for? (Early Childhood Education). How can I access 20-hours of care each week? Do I have to pay anything extra on top? Am I entitled to a government subsidy to help cover extra costs? And so much more.
We have created a broad outline of the main child-care options currently available. However, we acknowledge that what works for one family will be completely different from the next, and there is a lot of information to process. So please do your research carefully, and ask lots of questions along the way!
You can get your young child off to a great start in life by getting them learning early. Sending them to a government-approved Early Childhood Education (ECE) centre is great for children's development, socialisation, and it's heaps of fun too.
The government can help with this commitment by offering ECE funding for up to 6-hours each day, up to 20-hours per week for eligible children.
20 Hours ECE is a higher funding subsidy. It means that if your child is 3, 4 or 5 year old and goes to an early learning service or kōhanga reo that offers 20 Hours ECE, the cost can be fully subsidised for up to 6 hours a day and up to 20 hours a week.
The purpose of 20 Hours ECE is to reduce cost barriers so more children can benefit from participation in ECE.
Note that ECE funding only starts when your child turns 3-years old. Prior to that, the cost of childcare at a nursery or preschool generally falls on the caregiver, however, depending on income, caregivers may qualify for a Childcare Subsidy to help with the cost of preschool care.
Further information on 20-hours ECE, fees, rights & responsibilities can be found on the Government's Education website.
It's important to place your child into the right environment and trust and know the person who looks after your child.
There are a range of early-learning services on offer, and it's about finding a centre that's right for you.
There is a range of options available in New Zealand offering different services, facilities, hours, and prices. Each has its own way of working with children and their parents. Some offer all-day education and care, some only part day. Some are led by certificated teachers, and some are led by parents, whānau or caregivers.
Early learning services available in New Zealand include:
The costs involved to attend is different for each early learning service or kōhanga reo. Make sure to do your research, and check to see whether you are entitled to receive any subsidies.
This is an age where government funding comes into play, where you can receive up to 20-hours worth of funding from the government to contribute towards your child attending an approved Early Education Centre (ECE).
It is important to have an idea of what you want for your child, what learning is relevant, and which type of ECE provider is right for your child, and your family.
There is a range of different types of ECE centres to choose from, including:
Click here to read more about what your child should learn through an approved ECE provider and what you should expect, and some factors you might consider when making your decision. You can also use this search tool to find a learning centre that's suitable for you.
Some other things to think about:
Above all - make sure you are comfortable and connected with your provider, and that you get a good feel for the teachers and the environment.
Most parents need to sort before or after-school care once their children start school.
Depending on your income, you may qualify to receive a government subsidy payment to contribute towards the costs of "Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR)" care.
You can't get the OSCAR Subsidy if the child's other parent or caregiver can take care of the child, and it also depends on how much you and your partner earn.
This subsidy is a payment that helps families with childcare costs for up to 20-hours a week, and school holiday programmes for up to 50-hours a week.
Click here to find a list of OSCAR providers in your region.
When choosing an OSCAR provider, we recommend you check out the centre: meet the supervisors, see what sort of activities are on offer, and be sure that both you, and your child, feel comfortable with your choice.
"Working for Families" are government payments for families with dependent children aged 18 and under. These payments are to help you raise your family. Entitlements are based on your yearly family income and family circumstances.
There are a number of different payment types available, and there are some rules around whether your family is eligible.
Payments are generally calculated on your family's annual gross income, and payments can vary depending on the number of dependants in your household.
As this is a particularly tricky area to navigate, we recommend reading up on what you might be entitled to on the Working for Families website, and seek advice from someone at your local Work and Income office.
Making the right choice can feel hard
It can be hard to know where to start. There are heaps of great preschools, nurseries, kindergartens, playgroups & playcentres around the city.
If you ask any parent with a child in an ECE, they'll all tell you how their place is the best, which can make choosing one even more difficult!
We've done a bit of research and collated some information to help you get started:
When choosing a child-care provider for your preschooler, we suggest you first visit the centre before choosing to commit. Things we reckon are important to consider:
have a good look around the entire centre and see how well it is maintained
You should get a good feel for the place, feel confident to send your child there, and know that they are happy with it too.
We also recommend you do some research, talk to parents or friends who've sent their kids there, visit some other centres to draw comparisons, and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions!
Read up on the Government's information on Early Childhood Education (ECE) care - learn about what to look for, and find out about ECE funding (up 20 hours per week) and whether you are entitled to other government subsidies.
Check out the following resources which might help you decide which type of early learning centre is best for you:
To get the ball rolling, search for an ECE provider in your area and call them for an initial chat, Have a look through the following resources:
