A Simple Guide For Parents
If your child is approaching their third birthday, you've probably heard about 20 Hours ECE.
It's one of the main ways the New Zealand Government helps families with early childhood education costs.
But the name can be a little confusing.
Does it mean 20 hours of free childcare? Can you use the hours across different days? What happens if your child attends for longer?
Here's how the programme works and what to ask your childcare centre.
What Is 20 Hours ECE?
20 Hours ECE is government funding that participating early childhood education services can claim for eligible children aged three, four and five.
The programme covers up to 20 hours of early childhood education each week.
There is also a maximum of six funded hours per day.
For example, a child attending four days a week could potentially use five funded hours each day, provided the service offers that arrangement.
The exact allocation needs to be agreed with the childcare provider.
Who Is Eligible For 20 Hours ECE?
The programme is available for eligible children aged three to five attending participating early childhood education services.
It is not generally based on household income.
This means families do not have to meet an income threshold to access the funding.
However, the service must participate in the programme, and parents need to complete the required enrolment and funding declarations.
Ask your centre when your child can begin using funded hours and what paperwork is needed.
Can You Use All 20 Hours In Two Days?
No.
The programme has a daily maximum of six funded hours.
Even if your child attends for a longer day, only up to six hours can be allocated as 20 Hours ECE for that day.
For example:
| Attendance | Maximum 20 Hours ECE Allocation |
|---|---|
| 1 day | 6 hours |
| 2 days | 12 hours |
| 3 days | 18 hours |
| 4 days | 20 hours |
| 5 days | 20 hours |
This table shows the maximum possible funded allocation, not a guarantee of a particular centre's session arrangements.
Your actual allocation depends on your enrolment and the service's funding arrangements.
Does 20 Hours ECE Mean Childcare Is Completely Free?
Not necessarily.
A participating service cannot charge compulsory fees for the hours it claims as 20 Hours ECE.
However, families may still pay for hours outside their funded allocation.
There may also be other permitted charges, depending on the service and the arrangements agreed with parents.
It's important to distinguish between compulsory fees and optional charges.
Ask your childcare provider to explain the full cost of your child's booking, including which hours are funded and what other payments may apply.
Can You Use 20 Hours ECE At More Than One Centre?
It may be possible to divide funded hours between participating services.
However, the total claimed across services cannot exceed the programme's limits.
Parents need to provide accurate information about their child's attendance and funding allocation.
If your child attends more than one early childhood service, tell both providers so the hours can be correctly recorded.
What Happens When Your Child Turns Three?
Your child may become eligible for 20 Hours ECE once they reach the qualifying age.
It doesn't necessarily mean your childcare invoice will automatically change without any action.
Speak with your centre before your child's third birthday.
Ask whether you need to update enrolment paperwork, choose funded hours or make changes to your booking.
It's also a good opportunity to review your family's childcare arrangements.
Does 20 Hours ECE Cover School Holidays?
The programme applies to eligible attendance at participating early childhood services, subject to the funding rules.
However, opening hours and holiday arrangements vary between providers.
Some centres operate through school holidays, while others have different calendars.
Ask your centre how funded hours work during holiday periods and whether its usual fees or booking conditions change.
What Should You Ask Before Enrolling?
To understand what 20 Hours ECE will mean for your family, ask:
Does the centre offer 20 Hours ECE?
How are funded hours allocated across the week?
Can we choose which sessions use the funding?
What will we pay for additional hours?
Are there optional charges?
What happens if we change our attendance days?
What paperwork needs to be completed?
A written fee breakdown is particularly helpful.
20 Hours ECE At Little Ants
Little Ants Early Childhood Centre in Waiuku offers 20 Hours ECE for eligible children.
Our team can explain how the funding works alongside our childcare sessions and help you understand the costs associated with your preferred attendance.
Have A Question About Funding?
You don't need to work everything out on your own.
Contact Little Ants to discuss your child's age, attendance needs and current fee arrangements.
