Decoding Childcare Costs in Hawke's Bay: A Guide for Parents

• Childcare is a major household expense in New Zealand, with some families spending up to 37% of their income on fees.
• The final cost of care varies significantly based on your child's age, the number of hours they attend, and your location within NZ.
• Government assistance, including the WINZ Childcare Subsidy and 20 Hours ECE for three and four year old children, is available to help reduce the financial burden.
• Eligibility for childcare subsidies is set to expand in late 2025, meaning more families will qualify for financial support.
• A good childcare centre should be transparent about its fees and what is included, helping you plan your budget with confidence.

Let's talk about something we discuss with Hawke's Bay parents every single day: the cost of childcare. It’s a huge consideration, and the financial pressure it places on families is very real. You’re not just imagining it. For many families, the numbers are genuinely daunting. In fact, New Zealand has one of the least affordable childcare systems in the developed world. A 2021 UNICEF report highlighted that for an average couple with two children in full-time care, up to 37% of their household income could be going towards these fees.

That’s a massive slice of the budget.

We see firsthand how this financial strain affects families. It influences decisions about returning to work, career choices, and overall household well-being. But our goal here is to replace that anxiety with clarity. We believe that understanding how childcare costs are structured is the first step toward managing them effectively. It’s about empowering you with the right information so you can make the best choices for your family.

One of the first things to understand is that there's no single, nationwide price for childcare. Costs can change quite a bit depending on where you live. Urban centres with higher operating costs, like Auckland and Wellington, often have higher fees. For instance, recent data showed that after subsidies, a Wellington family could be paying an average of $159 per week for Early Childhood Education (ECE).

While Hawke’s Bay typically has more moderate costs compared to the big cities, the same principles apply. The final figure on your invoice is influenced by a handful of key factors that are important for every parent to understand.

When you get a fee schedule, it can sometimes feel like you need a decoder ring. In our experience, the price comes down to a few core elements. Here’s what you need to look for.

Your Child's Age

This is the biggest variable. Care for infants and toddlers (under three years old) is almost always more expensive than for preschool-aged children. This isn't an arbitrary rule; it's based on the Ministry of Education's strict regulations for teacher-to-child ratios. Younger children require more individual attention and care, so we need more teachers in our nursery and toddler rooms to ensure every child is safe, nurtured, and supported. Once your child turns three, the ratio requirements change, and costs typically decrease.

Hours of Attendance

This one is more straightforward. Are you looking for full-time care to cover your working week, or do you need a few part-time days? Most centres offer different enrolment options, from short days and school hours to full-day sessions. We find that being clear about the hours you truly need helps you avoid paying for care you won't use. Think about your work schedule, commute times, and what rhythm best suits your child.

What's Included (and What's Not)

This is where transparency from a centre is critical. "Fees" can mean different things at different places. Does the weekly fee include meals, snacks, and milk? What about nappies? Some centres include everything, creating a simple, all-inclusive price. Others may charge a base fee and ask parents to supply these items themselves. There's no right or wrong approach, but you need to know what you’re paying for to accurately compare options and budget accordingly.

The good news is that you don't have to bear the full cost alone. The New Zealand government provides significant financial assistance to make ECE more accessible. Navigating this system can feel confusing, so here’s a simple breakdown of the main support available.

The WINZ Childcare Subsidy

The Childcare Subsidy is administered by Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) and is the primary form of financial support for families. It's income-tested, meaning your eligibility and the amount you receive depend on how much your household earns. It can be used for children under five (or under six if they have a disability) and can cover up to nine hours of care per week if you're not working, or more if you are working or studying. We help families with the paperwork for this all the time; it’s a standard part of the enrolment process.

20 Hours ECE

Once your child turns three, they become eligible for 20 Hours ECE. This government scheme provides up to 20 hours of free childcare per week (to a maximum of six hours per day). It’s not income-tested, so every child aged three to five is entitled to it. Many parents use this to significantly reduce their weekly fees. You simply sign a form at our centre, and we handle the rest of the claim on your behalf.

Exciting Changes on the Horizon

It's also worth knowing that more help is on the way. The government has announced an expansion of childcare support. From November 2025, more families will qualify for subsidies as the income thresholds are being updated. This change is designed to give more working families access to financial relief, which is a fantastic development for our communities.

For us, discussing fees isn't just a business transaction; it's part of building a strong, trusting relationship with you. This partnership is at the heart of our philosophy, a concept we know as whanaungatanga. It means we see ourselves as an extension of your family, working together to give your child the best possible start. That’s why we believe in being completely open about costs from the very beginning.

Our commitment to families goes beyond the children enrolled with us. It’s why we established a dedicated resource, Our Family Centre , right here on-site. It’s a completely free space for parents with young children (from birth to five years) to come and connect. You can meet other local parents, share a coffee, and let your little ones play in a safe, supportive environment. It’s our way of supporting the entire family journey, not just the hours your child is in our care.

We know this is a lot to take in. The single best thing you can do is have a direct conversation. We encourage you to get in touch with us for a clear, personalised breakdown of what your fees would look like. There are no silly questions, and we’re happy to walk you through all the variables and help you understand the potential subsidy you could receive.

We’ve structured our centre to make these conversations easy. When you’re ready, you can reach out to us directly. We even have dedicated phone lines for our Nursery, Toddlers, and Kindergarten rooms, so you can speak with the team best suited to answer questions about your child's specific age group. Let's work together to find a solution that fits your family’s needs and budget.

_Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to keep the information up-to-date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind about the completeness or accuracy. For definitive advice on your eligibility for government subsidies, please consult Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) directly._