Cost of daycare in Lower Hutt CBD
12 licensed centres in Lower Hutt CBD, Wellington — modelled weekly fees by age band, with 20 Hours ECE (0% of centres participate) and FamilyBoost net pricing.
Modelled weekly cost in Lower Hutt CBD, 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 Lower Hutt CBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | — | $180 | $0 | $0 | 5 |
| Education & Care | $360 | $280 | $65 | $48.75 | 5 |
| Playcentre | $20 | $20 | $20 | $15 | 2 |
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 Lower Hutt CBD
NZ families can stack three forms of government support — all available at every centre in Lower Hutt CBD.
For 3-5 year olds at participating centres. Up to 20 hours/week funded directly to the centre. 0 of 12 centres in Lower Hutt CBD 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 Lower Hutt CBD
Listed by service type. 20-Hrs pill indicates participation in 20 Hours ECE.
Kindergarten (5)
Avalon Kindergarten
ERO assessed Avalon Kindergarten as Not well placed in 2018. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in children's wellbeing and health & safety (both grade B), but noted that curriculum and learning, whānau partnership, and bicultural practice all require further development (all grade C).
Dyer Street Kindergarten
ERO assessed this service as Not well placed in October 2018. Our analysis of the ERO report found sound curriculum and pedagogy (B grade) and effective health and safety systems (B grade), but identified emerging bicultural practice (C grade) as an area requiring development. Leadership and governance were assessed as reflective and effective (B grade).
Epuni Kindergarten
ERO assessed Epuni Kindergarten as Not well placed in October 2018. Our analysis of the ERO report identifies strengths in curriculum and learning, children's wellbeing, whānau partnership, and leadership, but notes that bicultural practice is emerging and assessment practices need further development.
Waterloo Kindergarten
ERO assessed Waterloo Kindergarten as Not well placed in its 2018 review. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in whānau partnership (close liaison with parents and collaborative goal-setting) and health & safety (management assurance and legal compliance), both graded B.
Waiwhetu Kindergarten
Waiwhetu Kindergarten in Lower Hutt CBD was assessed by ERO as Not well placed in November 2018. The review identified significant concerns about the service's educational and operational performance.
Education & Care (5)
Wellington Early Intervention Centre
Wellington Early Intervention Centre is a small education and care service in Lower Hutt CBD. Our analysis of the ERO report (2022) found strengths in children's wellbeing support, with individual plans including targeted goals and actions. The service was assessed as having areas for development in curriculum and learning outcomes, bicultural practice, and leadership and governance.
Gracefield Early Childhood Centre
Lower Hutt City Childcare Centre
Lower Hutt City Childcare Centre is an education and care service in Lower Hutt CBD with a current roll of 47. Our analysis of the ERO report indicates strengths in curriculum responsiveness and children's wellbeing support (both graded B), with leadership committed to improvement. Areas for development include strengthening assessment practices, Te Whāriki integration, and bicultural practice (graded C).
Chilton St James Preschool - Waterloo
Millie's House Waiwhetu
Frequently asked about daycare costs in Lower Hutt CBD
- How much does daycare cost in Lower Hutt CBD?
- Daycare costs in Lower Hutt CBD 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 Lower Hutt CBD, 0 (0%) participate in 20 Hours ECE.
- Which centres in Lower Hutt CBD offer 20 Hours ECE?
- 0 of 12 centres in Lower Hutt CBD 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 Lower Hutt CBD?
- 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 Lower Hutt CBD). Phases out from household income $140k to $180k. Claim quarterly via IRD myIR.
- What's the cheapest daycare option in Lower Hutt CBD?
- 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.