How much does daycare cost in Christchurch?

Daycare costs in Christchurch 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 7 centres in Christchurch, 0 (0%) participate in 20 Hours ECE.

Which centres in Christchurch offer 20 Hours ECE?

0 of 7 centres in Christchurch 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 Christchurch?

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 7 centres in Christchurch). Phases out from household income $140k to $180k. Claim quarterly via IRD myIR.

What's the cheapest daycare option in Christchurch?

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.

Cost of daycare in Christchurch

7 licensed centres in Christchurch, Canterbury — modelled weekly fees by age band, with 20 Hours ECE (0% of centres participate) and FamilyBoost net pricing.

Modelled weekly cost in Christchurch, 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 Christchurch
Education & Care	$360	$280	$65	$48.75	5
Kindergarten	—	$180	$0	$0	1
Home-based	$320	$260	$80	$60	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 Christchurch

NZ families can stack three forms of government support — all available at every centre in Christchurch.

20 Hours ECE

For 3-5 year olds at participating centres. Up to 20 hours/week funded directly to the centre. 0 of 7 centres in Christchurch participate.

Childcare Subsidy

Means-tested. From MSD. Hourly subsidy based on household income, hours of work or study, and number of children. Apply via Work and Income.

FamilyBoost

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.

Calculate your net weekly cost →

All 7 centres in Christchurch

Listed by service type. 20-Hrs pill indicates participation in 20 Hours ECE.

Education & Care (5)

Harmony Haven Preschool

Education & Care · Christchurch

ERO assessed Harmony Haven Preschool as Not well placed in November 2018. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in curriculum implementation, children's wellbeing, whānau partnership, health and safety, and leadership (all grade B), with bicultural practice assessed as emerging (grade C) and identified as an area for development.

Roll 67

Millie's House - Armagh St

Education & Care · Christchurch

Roll 100

BestStart Salisbury Street

Education & Care · Christchurch

BestStart Educare

ERO assessed BestStart Salisbury Street as Not well placed in October 2019. Our analysis of the ERO report found the service graded B across all dimensions: curriculum and learning practices are emerging but not yet fully embedded; children's wellbeing and whānau partnerships are well-established; bicultural practice is active; and health, safety, leadership and governance systems are in place.

Roll 66

Tafesilafa'i Early Learning Centre (TELC)

Education & Care · Christchurch

TELC provides an inclusive, responsive environment with balanced learning and nurturing routines for infants and toddlers. Our analysis of the ERO report identifies strengths in children's wellbeing, though leadership and governance systems require further development.

Roll 30

BestStart Parkside

Education & Care · Christchurch

BestStart Educare

ERO assessed BestStart Parkside as Not well placed in their 2018 review. Our analysis of the ERO report found the service showed sound play-based curriculum and strong wellbeing support (B grades), with effective whānau partnership and leadership, but bicultural practice was identified as a developing area (C grade). Health and safety compliance exceeded legal requirements.

Roll 50

Kindergarten (1)

Kidsfirst Kindergartens Rutland Street

Kindergarten · Christchurch

KidsFirst Kindergartens

ERO assessed this service as Not well placed in its 2015 review. Our analysis of the ERO report found strengths across all dimensions: curriculum and learning practices were wide and effective, children's wellbeing was supported through positive relationships, whānau partnership practices were strong, te reo Māori and tikanga were well integrated, and leadership and governance demonstrated a clear shared vision.

Roll 40

Home-based (1)

Selwyn Kids Limited

Home-based · Christchurch

Selwyn Kids Limited is a home-based service in the Christchurch area with 50 children on roll. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in children's wellbeing, with positive social-emotional outcomes, but found concerns in curriculum and learning consistency and notable non-compliance in health, safety, and HR management practices.

Roll 50

Frequently asked about daycare costs in Christchurch

How much does daycare cost in Christchurch?: Daycare costs in Christchurch 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 7 centres in Christchurch, 0 (0%) participate in 20 Hours ECE.
Which centres in Christchurch offer 20 Hours ECE?: 0 of 7 centres in Christchurch 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 Christchurch?: 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 7 centres in Christchurch). Phases out from household income $140k to $180k. Claim quarterly via IRD myIR.
What's the cheapest daycare option in Christchurch?: 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.