Early Childhood Education

In New Zealand 60% of children aged from birth to 5 years participate in early childhood education, including 90% of 3-year-olds and 98% of 4-year-olds.

There are a number of education and care options available to parents with children five years or younger. They can either provide home-based care or enrol their child full-time or part-time in a kindergarten, child care centre (crèche) or playcentre.

While the enrolment costs vary, the standard and quality of the supervision doesn't. These early education centres provide a stimulating learning environment and are regularly audited by the Ministry of Education to ensure high standards are maintained.

Costs for private kindergartens range from $15 - 45 per session. Daycare centres average $220 - $250 a week. The government pays for up to 20 hours of early childhood education each week for children aged 3 and 4 at qualifying education centres.

For more information about early childhood education see the Ministry of Education website.