Cost of daycare in Melville
9 licensed centres in Melville, Waikato — modelled weekly fees by age band, with 20 Hours ECE (0% of centres participate) and FamilyBoost net pricing.
Modelled weekly cost in Melville, 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 Melville |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education & Care | $360 | $280 | $65 | $48.75 | 7 |
| Te Kōhanga Reo | $200 | $150 | $30 | $22.5 | 1 |
| 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 Melville
NZ families can stack three forms of government support — all available at every centre in Melville.
For 3-5 year olds at participating centres. Up to 20 hours/week funded directly to the centre. 0 of 9 centres in Melville 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 9 centres in Melville
Listed by service type. 20-Hrs pill indicates participation in 20 Hours ECE.
Education & Care (7)
BestStart Jones Crescent Kindy
ERO assessed this service as Not well placed in 2017. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strong children's wellbeing (A grade) alongside B grades for curriculum and learning, bicultural practice, and leadership and governance. The review noted effective teaching interactions and positive relationships, with opportunities to extend outdoor learning and local iwi engagement.
Jack and Jill Educare
Jack and Jill Educare is an education and care service in Melville with a current roll of 75 children. Our analysis of the ERO report from May 2023 found Health & Safety practices at grade B, with management assurance on legal requirements met and systems reviewed during the visit.
Playworx Kindy
Playworx Kindy is an education and care service in Melville with a current roll of 20 children. Our analysis of the ERO report (June 2024) found the curriculum is play-based and inclusive, though assessment and planning links to Te Whāriki could be strengthened. Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging with positive relationships between the service and whānau.
BestStart Bader Street
ERO assessed BestStart Bader Street as Not well placed in their 2019 review. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in bicultural practice and curriculum, with effective health and safety systems, though assessment and planning practices were noted as an area for development.
Active Explorers Melville
Active Explorers Melville is an education and care service in Melville with a current roll of 100 children. Our analysis of the ERO report from March 2021 found the service achieved a B grade for children's wellbeing, with positive interactions evident, and a B grade for health and safety, meeting regulatory standards.
Sunny Side Early Educare
Fountain City Montessori Tawa Street
Fountain City Montessori Tawa Street is an education and care service for 107 children in Melville, Hamilton. Our analysis of the ERO report found the centre demonstrates sound bicultural practice with te reo and tikanga integrated into the programme, and has established health and safety systems in place.
Te Kōhanga Reo (1)
Frequently asked about daycare costs in Melville
- How much does daycare cost in Melville?
- Daycare costs in Melville 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 9 centres in Melville, 0 (0%) participate in 20 Hours ECE.
- Which centres in Melville offer 20 Hours ECE?
- 0 of 9 centres in Melville 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 Melville?
- 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 9 centres in Melville). Phases out from household income $140k to $180k. Claim quarterly via IRD myIR.
- What's the cheapest daycare option in Melville?
- 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.