Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association (NZCA) promotes quality early childhood education for children in New Zealand.
As a parent about to enrol your child in a childcare, you may be experiencing a mixture of feelings: excitement about returning to work or taking up a new opportunity, but anxiety about how this decision will affect your child.
Here is some information about early childhood education in New Zealand.
Choosing an early childhood service
The Ministry of Education produced a comprehensive guide to assist parents in making an informed decision about what childcare service is best for you and your family/whanau.
Choices in Early Childhood Education
Where to find your nearest early childhood education service provider:
- Contact your local Ministry of Education Office
Assistance with your childcare costs
Financial assistance is available for parents using childcare services. Below is the list of organisations that can provide you with further information.
Working for Families
Working for Families is a package designed to help make it easier to work and raise a family. This assistance is delivered through the Ministry of Social Development division of Work and Income NZ (WINZ) and through the Inland Revenue Department.
The Working for Families Childcare Subsidy helps lower income families pay for their childcare costs.
For more information about Working for Families and/or the Childcare Subsidy contact WINZ on 0800 774 004 or visit their website.
'Free 20 hours' early childhood education
Up to 20 hours per week of early childhood education for three and four year olds is available free from early childhood education services offering this government initiative.
You'll find a list of services that offer 20 free hours on the Team-Up website. Ask the service if there is a place for your child and how Free ECE works.
For more information about Free ECE contact the Ministry of Education Parent Help Line on 0800 20 44 33.
Childcare rebate
If you pay for childcare you can claim part of it back as a tax rebate. To find out more information including making a claim contact Inland Revenue Department on 0800 227 774 or visit the IRD website.
Other useful links
- Early Childhood Education
Information from the Ministry of Education on parenting, choosing an early childcare centre, establishing and running an early childhood education centre - S.K.I.P (Strategies with Kids, Information for Parents)
Supporting parents to have loving and healthy relationships with their children. Resources are available for download from this Ministry of Social Development website. - Plunket
Provides support services for the development, health and wellbeing of children under the age of five. - Well Child
A Ministry of Health website that gives information about health services for children under the age of five. - Parents Inc.
A not-for-profit organisation that offers a range of programmes to encourage and support parents.
