Cost of daycare in Ilam
6 licensed centres in Ilam, Canterbury — modelled weekly fees by age band, with 20 Hours ECE (0% of centres participate) and FamilyBoost net pricing.
Modelled weekly cost in Ilam, 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 Ilam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education & Care | $360 | $280 | $65 | $48.75 | 5 |
| 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 Ilam
NZ families can stack three forms of government support — all available at every centre in Ilam.
For 3-5 year olds at participating centres. Up to 20 hours/week funded directly to the centre. 0 of 6 centres in Ilam 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 6 centres in Ilam
Listed by service type. 20-Hrs pill indicates participation in 20 Hours ECE.
Education & Care (5)
Ilam Montessori Preschool
Ilam Montessori Preschool is an education and care service in Ilam with 29 children on roll. Our analysis of the ERO report shows strengths in children's wellbeing, whānau partnership, and health and safety compliance. Areas identified for improvement include embedding te reo Māori more fully and developing the framework for internal evaluation and leadership.
Montana Early Learning Centre
Montana Early Learning Centre provides education and care for 38 children in Ilam. Our analysis of the ERO report identifies strengths in children's wellbeing, whānau partnership, and health and safety practices. The centre received a C grade for bicultural practice, with the ERO report noting insufficient opportunities for te reo Māori and te ao Māori experiences.
Early Childhood Learning Centre
Our analysis of the ERO report identifies areas requiring attention: curriculum and learning implementation is limited, whānau partnerships need strengthening towards learning-focused engagement, and health and safety has multiple non-compliance areas including emergency planning and daily safety checks. Bicultural practice shows some positive implementation of Te reo Māori and cultural celebration, though deeper embedding would strengthen this area.
Ilam Early Learning Centre
Ilam Early Learning Centre is an education and care service in Christchurch with a current roll of 65 children. Our analysis of the 2022 ERO report found sound health and safety systems with monitoring and reporting in place.
Kindercare Learning Centres - Riccarton
ERO assessed this service as Not well placed in May 2020. Our analysis of the ERO report found sound curriculum and learning practices with responsive programming, and health and safety management meeting legal requirements with staffing ratios above minimum. Leadership and governance showed strong reflective practice, though strategic planning was identified for further development.
Frequently asked about daycare costs in Ilam
- How much does daycare cost in Ilam?
- Daycare costs in Ilam 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 6 centres in Ilam, 0 (0%) participate in 20 Hours ECE.
- Which centres in Ilam offer 20 Hours ECE?
- 0 of 6 centres in Ilam 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 Ilam?
- 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 6 centres in Ilam). Phases out from household income $140k to $180k. Claim quarterly via IRD myIR.
- What's the cheapest daycare option in Ilam?
- 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.