Cost of daycare in Nelson
8 licensed centres in Nelson, Nelson — modelled weekly fees by age band, with 20 Hours ECE (0% of centres participate) and FamilyBoost net pricing.
Modelled weekly cost in Nelson, 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 Nelson |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | — | $180 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| Education & Care | $360 | $280 | $65 | $48.75 | 3 |
| Playcentre | $20 | $20 | $20 | $15 | 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 Nelson
NZ families can stack three forms of government support — all available at every centre in Nelson.
For 3-5 year olds at participating centres. Up to 20 hours/week funded directly to the centre. 0 of 8 centres in Nelson 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 8 centres in Nelson
Listed by service type. 20-Hrs pill indicates participation in 20 Hours ECE.
Kindergarten (4)
Grove Street Kindergarten
ERO assessed Grove Street Kindergarten as Not well placed in November 2019. Our analysis of the ERO report found B grades across all six dimensions: curriculum and learning, children's wellbeing, whānau partnership, bicultural practice, health and safety, and leadership and governance. The service demonstrated effective play-based programming and strong family partnerships, though ERO identified areas for development including strengthening assessment documentation and more clearly reflecting whānau aspirations.
Nelson South Kindergarten
ERO assessed Nelson South Kindergarten as not well placed in April 2019. Our analysis of the ERO report found the service received B grades for curriculum and learning, bicultural practice, and leadership and governance.
Nelson Central Kindergarten
ERO assessed Nelson Central Kindergarten as Not well placed in its 2016 review. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in curriculum and learning (grade A), whānau partnership (grade A), and bicultural practice (grade A), though the overall placement indicates concerns in other areas of service delivery.
Victory Square Kindergarten
ERO assessed Victory Square Kindergarten as Not well placed in November 2019. Our analysis of the ERO report found the service graded B across bicultural practice, health and safety, and leadership and governance, with specific notes that bicultural integration could be deeper, health and safety policies needed improvement, and evaluation depth required strengthening.
Education & Care (3)
Rutherford Street Kindergarten
Little Sunflowers
Little Sunflowers operates a well-established curriculum with intentional teaching and Te Whāriki integration. Our analysis of the ERO report found strong performance in bicultural practice (A grade), with sustained local iwi/hapū engagement and te reo Māori integration. Children's wellbeing, whānau partnership, and leadership received B grades, reflecting established relationships and collaborative practice.
Campus Corner Early Learning Centre Inc
Campus Corner Early Learning Centre is an education and care service in Nelson. Our analysis of the ERO report identified areas for development: curriculum design lacks shared understanding and alignment with Te Whāriki, and internal evaluation processes are still developing with room to strengthen board monitoring of strategy.
Frequently asked about daycare costs in Nelson
- How much does daycare cost in Nelson?
- Daycare costs in Nelson 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 8 centres in Nelson, 0 (0%) participate in 20 Hours ECE.
- Which centres in Nelson offer 20 Hours ECE?
- 0 of 8 centres in Nelson 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 Nelson?
- 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 8 centres in Nelson). Phases out from household income $140k to $180k. Claim quarterly via IRD myIR.
- What's the cheapest daycare option in Nelson?
- 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.