Cost of daycare in Birkenhead
14 licensed centres in Birkenhead, Auckland — modelled weekly fees by age band, with 20 Hours ECE (0% of centres participate) and FamilyBoost net pricing.
Modelled weekly cost in Birkenhead, by service type + age band
Per the OECE 2026 NZ funding rates. Net column shows out-of-pocket after FamilyBoost rebate (25% capped at $75/week).
| Service type | Under 2 | 2-3 yrs | 3-5 yrs (w/ 20 Hrs) | 3-5 yrs (net w/ FB) | In Birkenhead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education & Care | $360 | $280 | $65 | $48.75 | 9 |
| Kindergarten | — | $180 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| Playcentre | $20 | $20 | $20 | $15 | 1 |
| Te Kōhanga Reo | $200 | $150 | $30 | $22.5 | 1 |
Modelled weekly cost assumes 25 hours/week of care. Real fees vary by centre, family circumstance, and term — confirm with each centre directly. Per-centre fee scraping is a Phase B item; this page shows national medians until live per-centre fees are ingested.
How to reduce your weekly cost in Birkenhead
NZ families can stack three forms of government support — all available at every centre in Birkenhead.
For 3-5 year olds at participating centres. Up to 20 hours/week funded directly to the centre. 0 of 14 centres in Birkenhead participate.
Means-tested. From MSD. Hourly subsidy based on household income, hours of work or study, and number of children. Apply via Work and Income.
25% rebate on weekly fees, capped at $75/week per family. From IRD. Phases out from household income $140k to $180k. Claim quarterly via myIR.
All 14 centres in Birkenhead
Listed by service type. 20-Hrs pill indicates participation in 20 Hours ECE.
Education & Care (9)
Next Generation Infant Care
Next Generation Infant Care is an infant care service in Birkenhead with 20 children on roll. The ERO review in December 2023 did not assign an overall placement. Our analysis of the ERO report found the service graded B for children's wellbeing, with a calm environment supporting exploration and emotional safety systems in place, and B for health and safety, with legal compliance confirmed.
Childspace Preschool
Childspace Preschool is an education and care service in Birkenhead with 37 children on roll. Our analysis of the ERO report shows strong practice in children's wellbeing, with a calm, nurturing environment supporting belonging and transitions. Health and safety compliance was attested, though our analysis noted limited integration of te reo Māori and tikanga in bicultural practice.
Mariposa Kids
Mariposa Kids is an education and care service in Birkenhead with 50 children on roll. Our analysis of the ERO report identified bicultural practice and leadership & governance as areas where the service is developing foundational approaches, with te reo use evident and governance plans in place, though further strengthening is needed to better link improvement planning to learning outcomes.
Lollipops Birkenhead
ERO assessed Lollipops Birkenhead as Not well placed in 2017. Our analysis of the ERO report found strengths in children's wellbeing, whānau partnership, and health and safety practices, but identified areas requiring development: curriculum planning lacked systematic teaching strategies, bicultural practice was emerging, and leadership systems needed clearer strategic direction.
Birkenhead Point Montessori Pre-school
Birkenhead Point Montessori Pre-school is an education and care service in Birkenhead with a current roll of 30 children. Our analysis of the 2022 ERO report found the service achieves grade B in health and safety, meeting regulatory standards, and grade B in leadership and governance, with clear management structure and qualified leadership and staff training.
Next Generation Childcare
Next Generation Childcare is an education and care service in Birkenhead with a roll of 30 children. Our analysis of the ERO report shows children display confidence and a strong sense of belonging in a well-resourced environment that supports active exploration. Te reo and tikanga integration is beginning but remains emerging rather than embedded, and leaders are developing their internal evaluation systems.
Next Generation Birkenhead
The service met legal health and safety requirements with systems in place. Our analysis of the ERO report found the curriculum offered effective integrated learning experiences, with intentional teaching development as a focus area.
Precious Years Learning Centre
Precious Years Learning Centre is an education and care service in Birkenhead with a current roll of 44 children. Our analysis of the ERO report (August 2023) identified areas for improvement: whānau partnership and parent engagement need strengthening, bicultural practice requires greater depth beyond current aspects, and leadership and governance processes need re-establishment. Health and safety systems were assessed as meeting legal requirements, with previously identified non-compliance addressed.
KidsCo Early Learning Centre
KidsCo Early Learning Centre is an education and care service in Birkenhead with 35 children on roll. Our analysis of the ERO report grades Children's wellbeing and Health & safety both as B, noting positive adult-child interactions, emotional and physical safety systems, and staffing ratios that exceed standards.
Kindergarten (3)
Birkenhead Kindergarten
ERO assessed Birkenhead Kindergarten as Not well placed in its 2017 review. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in children's wellbeing, whānau partnership, and leadership, with B grades across these areas. Bicultural practice was identified as an area for development, receiving a C grade, with ERO noting te reo Māori promotion could be strengthened through more intentional curriculum integration.
Kauri Park Kindergarten
ERO assessed Kauri Park Kindergarten as Not well placed in 2017. Our analysis of the ERO report identified B grades across curriculum and learning, children's wellbeing, whānau partnership, bicultural practice, and leadership and governance.
Chelsea Kindergarten
ERO assessed Chelsea Kindergarten as Not well placed in 2015. Our analysis of the ERO report indicates children's wellbeing was graded B, with children demonstrating strong social-emotional outcomes and positive peer relationships. Health and safety was also graded B, with sound systems established for health, safety and legal compliance requirements.
Frequently asked about daycare costs in Birkenhead
- How much does daycare cost in Birkenhead?
- Daycare costs in Birkenhead vary by service type and the age of your child. Modelled national medians: education & care centres charge around $320-$360/week for under-2s and $0-$65/week for 2-5 year olds depending on 20 Hours ECE participation. Free Kindergartens charge little or nothing for 3-5 year olds due to 20 Hours funding. Of 14 centres in Birkenhead, 0 (0%) participate in 20 Hours ECE.
- Which centres in Birkenhead offer 20 Hours ECE?
- 0 of 14 centres in Birkenhead participate in 20 Hours ECE, which subsidises up to 20 hours/week for 3-5 year olds. See the per-centre listing below for participation status.
- Can I get FamilyBoost for daycare in Birkenhead?
- Yes. FamilyBoost is a 25% IRD rebate on weekly fees, capped at $75/week per family. Available at every licensed ECE service in NZ (including all 14 centres in Birkenhead). Phases out from household income $140k to $180k. Claim quarterly via IRD myIR.
- What's the cheapest daycare option in Birkenhead?
- In NZ, the lowest-cost ECE options are typically Free Kindergartens (3-5 year olds, ~$0/week with 20 Hours ECE) and Playcentres (parent-led, ~$20/week). For under-2s, all centre-based options charge fees — Childcare Subsidy from MSD plus FamilyBoost from IRD can substantially reduce out-of-pocket cost depending on household income.
Full directory with safety + demographics
Your exact net weekly cost
Per-region cost comparison
Data sources & freshness (4 sources · last refresh 12 July 2026)
Service type, address, roll, ethnicity, Equity Index, 20 Hours, Takiwā, lat/lng
Annual financial returns (community-based + umbrella orgs)
Per-centre review reports + 6-dimension letter grades (curriculum / wellbeing / whānau / bicultural / health & safety / leadership)
Safety score, crime/1k, 2023 Census demographics
Last build refresh: . See full methodology + data sources pages for licences, refresh cadences, and known gaps.