Daycare & ECE in Epsom
16 licensed early childhood services across 4 service types in Epsom, Auckland.
Composite = our 0–100 ECE quality score (weighted average of six ERO dimensions, normalised within Equity Index band). 20 Hours ECE & ERO coverage are counts of the 16 licensed services in Epsom.
Estimate your costs: our FamilyBoost + Childcare Subsidy calculator stacks 20 Hours ECE, the means-tested Childcare Subsidy, and the IRD FamilyBoost rebate to show net weekly cost.
Services in Epsom, by type
Education & Care — 12
Vintage Kids
Little Dinosaurs
Little Dinosaurs is an education and care service in Epsom with a current roll of 27 children. An ERO review in January 2023 did not assign an overall placement. Our analysis of the ERO report found the service graded B across bicultural practice, health and safety, and leadership and governance, with previously identified non-compliances addressed and 100% qualified teaching staff.
Epsom Community Creche
Gardner Road Kindergarten
Aro Arataki Early Learning Centre
Aro Arataki is an education and care centre in Epsom with a current roll of 75 children. Our analysis of the ERO report from November 2022 indicates B grades across curriculum and learning, health and safety, and leadership and governance. Previously identified non-compliances have been addressed.
BestStart Gillies Avenue
ERO assessed this service as Not well placed in 2016. Our analysis of the ERO report found sound curriculum implementation and positive children's wellbeing (both graded B), with established whānau partnerships also graded B. Planning, assessment, and overall service effectiveness were identified as areas requiring development.
Epsom Montessori House
ERO reviewed this service in October 2024. Our analysis of the ERO report indicates curriculum development and whānau partnerships are emerging, with work needed to strengthen assessment practices and family engagement. Health and safety systems meet legal requirements and are consistently maintained.
Uptown Kids Epsom Childcare Centre
Kauri Seeds Preschool
Kauri Seeds Preschool is an education and care service in Epsom with 37 children on roll. Our analysis of the ERO report shows positive engagement with parents and whānau aspirations in the whānau partnership dimension. Leadership and governance requires improvement in monitoring and review of systems and processes.
Diocesan School for Girls Foundation Class
Diocesan School for Girls Foundation Class is an education and care service for 40 children in Epsom. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in curriculum and learning, health and safety, and leadership with all teachers qualified. Bicultural practice, particularly Te reo Māori integration, is an area identified for development.
Peacocks Early Learning Centre Epsom
Te Puna Kōhungahunga Mana Motuhake
Kindergarten — 2
Epsom South Kindergarten
ERO assessed this service as Not well placed in 2017. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in curriculum and learning, children's wellbeing, and leadership, with bicultural practice and health and safety assessed as areas for development.
Epsom North Kindergarten
ERO assessed Epsom North Kindergarten as Not well placed in its 2018 review. Our analysis of the ERO report found the service graded B across all four dimensions: Curriculum & learning, Children's wellbeing, Bicultural practice, and Health & safety. Te Whāriki implementation was evident, with strong peer relationships and bicultural practices including te reo Māori integration.
Waitlists in Epsom fill fast
16 licensed centres in Epsom — most popular options have multi-month waitlists. We'll send you a curated shortlist of Epsom centres with current vacancies + intro guidance.
Explore Epsom & Auckland
Schools in Epsom
When they age out of daycare, check schoolsnearme.co.nz for every NZ school with audited financials + ERO reviews.
Frequently asked
- How many daycare and ECE centres are in Epsom?
- There are 16 licensed early childhood services in Epsom, Auckland: 12 education & care, 2 kindergarten, 1 hospital-based, 1 home-based. Combined enrolment 636 children.
- Is there childcare near me in Epsom?
- Yes — Epsom has 16 licensed early childhood services, every one of them listed below with its address, service type and 20 Hours ECE status. To rank them by walking or driving distance from your exact address, use our find-by-address radius search.
- What's the largest daycare in Epsom?
- Aro Arataki Early Learning Centre is the largest licensed centre in Epsom with 75 children enrolled (education & care). See the per-centre listing below for size details on every centre.
- Which centres in Epsom offer 20 Hours ECE?
- 0 of 16 centres (0%) in Epsom participate in 20 Hours ECE, which subsidises up to 20 hours/week of care for 3-5 year olds. The 20-Hrs pill on each centre card below shows participation.
- Are there kindergartens in Epsom?
- Yes — 2 kindergartens in Epsom. Free Kindergartens typically charge little or nothing for 3-5 year olds because of 20 Hours ECE.
- Is home-based childcare available in Epsom?
- 1 licensed home-based ECE service operates in Epsom. Home-based care typically suits families wanting small mixed-age groups in a domestic setting. Networks include PORSE, Nurtured at Home, and others — see the listing below.
- Which operator chains have centres in Epsom?
- 3 operator chains with centres in Epsom: Auckland Kindergarten Association (2), BestStart Educare (1), Starship Play Service (1). Plus 12 independent centres.
- How much does daycare cost in Epsom?
- Costs in Epsom follow the NZ national pattern: education & care centres typically $280-$360/week for under-2s, dropping to $0-$100/week for 3-5 year olds at 20-Hours-participating centres. Free Kindergartens charge little or nothing for 3-5 year olds. FamilyBoost (25% IRD rebate, $75/week cap) applies on top. See our /cost-of-daycare/epsom/ page for the per-age × per-type breakdown.
- What government support is available for childcare in Epsom?
- All 16 licensed centres in Epsom are eligible for the three stackable supports: 20 Hours ECE (universal for 3-5yr olds at 0 participating Epsom centres), the means-tested Childcare Subsidy from MSD, and FamilyBoost (25% rebate up to $75/week from IRD, phased out from $140k-$180k household income). Use our /familyboost-calculator for your specific net weekly cost.
- How much do daycares cost in NZ?
- Typical Weekly Childcare Costs in New Zealand (Before Subsidies)
- Who is eligible for 20 hours free childcare NZ?
- 20 Hours Free ECE All children aged 3 to 5 years are eligible for 20 hours of free early childhood education (ECE) each week under the New Zealand Government's 20 Hours ECE funding scheme. AKA extends this benefit to include 2-year-olds at most of our kindergartens (note: this does not include KiNZ Centres).
- How many days should a 2 year old go to daycare?
- Two days of childcare is where most families start. It feels like the right balance – some social time, some time at home, and a gentle introduction to early learning. For many children, two days is a perfectly happy place to begin.
- Is 5 months too early for daycare?
- Babies usually adjust to daycare better after 3 months. This is when their immune systems are stronger, and their sleep/feeding schedules are more regular. Starting with part-time daycare can make the transition easier for both babies and parents. Good infant programs keep the caregiver-to-child ratio low (1:3 or 1:4).
- How many hours is free daycare NZ?
- Children aged 3, 4, and 5 years old can receive up to 20 hours of free childcare each week. You can use up to 6 hours per day, spread across the week to suit your family. If your child attends more than one centre, you can split the hours between them (up to 20 hours total).
- Who is eligible for childcare subsidy NZ?
- You may get a Childcare Subsidy if: you're the principal caregiver of a dependent child. you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. your family is on a low or middle income.
Understanding NZ ECE — topic guides
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.