Cost of daycare in Hillcrest
12 licensed centres in Hillcrest, Auckland — modelled weekly fees by age band, with 20 Hours ECE (0% of centres participate) and FamilyBoost net pricing.
Modelled weekly cost in Hillcrest, 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 Hillcrest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education & Care | $360 | $280 | $65 | $48.75 | 11 |
| Kindergarten | — | $180 | $0 | $0 | 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 Hillcrest
NZ families can stack three forms of government support — all available at every centre in Hillcrest.
For 3-5 year olds at participating centres. Up to 20 hours/week funded directly to the centre. 0 of 12 centres in Hillcrest 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 12 centres in Hillcrest
Listed by service type. 20-Hrs pill indicates participation in 20 Hours ECE.
Education & Care (11)
Caterpillars to Butterflies Childcare
Caterpillars to Butterflies Childcare is an education and care service in Hillcrest, Auckland with a current roll of 51 children. Our analysis of the ERO report (November 2022) found the service graded B in curriculum and learning, health and safety, and leadership and governance. The centre offers an inclusive, responsive curriculum aligned with Te Whāriki, meets regulatory health and safety standards, and has qualified leadership providing oversight.
BestStart Hillcrest
ERO assessed BestStart Hillcrest as Not well placed in 2018. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in children's wellbeing, whānau partnership, health and safety, and leadership, but noted that bicultural practice required further development to deepen culturally responsive understanding.
Waikato Montessori Early Education Centre
Riverlea Kindergarten
Riverlea Kindergarten is an education and care service in Hillcrest, Hamilton with a current roll of 20 children. Our analysis of the ERO report from April 2023 found the service graded C in bicultural practice, with te reo and tikanga embedded but Pacific cultures underrepresented and scope for broader cultural inclusivity.
Hillcrest High School Community Childcare
Hillcrest High School Community Childcare is an education and care service for 35 children in Hamilton. Our analysis of the ERO report identifies strengths in health and safety compliance, while bicultural practice and leadership and governance are in early stages of development, with the internal evaluation framework needing greater focus on learning outcomes.
Rotorua Girls' High School Childcare Centre
Big Hugz Early Learning Centre Limited
Minimee Early Childhood Adventure
Little Discoverers
Neemo Childcare Centre
Neemo Childcare Centre is an education and care service in Hillcrest with a current roll of 58 children. Our analysis of the ERO report identifies inconsistent delivery of learning provocations as an area for development, while children's wellbeing, whānau partnership, health and safety, and leadership and governance all received B grades.
New Shoots Children's Centre - Hillcrest
An ERO review in June 2023 assessed the service across three dimensions. Our analysis of the ERO report found the centre rated B in whānau partnership, health and safety, and leadership and governance. The service demonstrates positive engagement with whānau aspirations, meets health and safety standards, and has qualified leadership with a predominantly qualified teaching team.
Frequently asked about daycare costs in Hillcrest
- How much does daycare cost in Hillcrest?
- Daycare costs in Hillcrest 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 12 centres in Hillcrest, 0 (0%) participate in 20 Hours ECE.
- Which centres in Hillcrest offer 20 Hours ECE?
- 0 of 12 centres in Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest?
- 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 12 centres in Hillcrest). Phases out from household income $140k to $180k. Claim quarterly via IRD myIR.
- What's the cheapest daycare option in Hillcrest?
- 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.