Daycare & ECE in Riccarton
6 licensed early childhood services across 3 service types in Riccarton, Canterbury.
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 6 licensed services in Riccarton.
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 Riccarton, by type
Education & Care — 3
Children's House Montessori Preschool
BestStart Riccarton
ERO assessed BestStart Riccarton as Not well placed in June 2018. Our analysis of the ERO report found Curriculum & learning graded C, with assessment and planning improving but needing stronger Te Whāriki implementation consistency. Children's wellbeing, Whānau partnership, Health & safety, and Leadership & governance were each graded B.
Kindercare Learning Centres - Fendalton
ERO assessed this service as Not well placed in June 2020. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in health and safety (staffing ratios exceed legal minimums) and leadership and governance (leadership supports reflection and evaluation), though strategic planning alignment was noted as an area for development.
Kindergarten — 2
Kidsfirst Kindergartens McKenzie
ERO assessed the service as Not well placed in its 2019 review. Our analysis of the ERO report found effective curriculum implementation and strong leadership, but identified that whānau partnership requires greater parental input into curriculum and planning decisions.
Kidsfirst Kindergartens Riccarton
ERO assessed the service as Not well placed in June 2020. Our analysis of the ERO report identified strengths in whānau partnership and bicultural practice (both graded A), with sound curriculum teaching and strong support for children's wellbeing (both graded B). Assessment documentation was noted as an area for refinement.
Explore Riccarton & Canterbury
Schools in Riccarton
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 Riccarton?
- There are 6 licensed early childhood services in Riccarton, Canterbury: 3 education & care, 2 kindergarten, 1 playcentre. Combined enrolment 270 children.
- Is there childcare near me in Riccarton?
- Yes — Riccarton has 6 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 Riccarton?
- BestStart Riccarton is the largest licensed centre in Riccarton with 99 children enrolled (education & care). See the per-centre listing below for size details on every centre.
- Which centres in Riccarton offer 20 Hours ECE?
- 0 of 6 centres (0%) in Riccarton 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 Riccarton?
- Yes — 2 kindergartens in Riccarton. Free Kindergartens typically charge little or nothing for 3-5 year olds because of 20 Hours ECE.
- Which operator chains have centres in Riccarton?
- 4 operator chains with centres in Riccarton: KidsFirst Kindergartens (2), BestStart Educare (1), Kindercare Learning Centres (1), Playcentre Aotearoa (1). Plus 1 independent centres.
- How much does daycare cost in Riccarton?
- Costs in Riccarton 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/riccarton/ page for the per-age × per-type breakdown.
- What government support is available for childcare in Riccarton?
- All 6 licensed centres in Riccarton are eligible for the three stackable supports: 20 Hours ECE (universal for 3-5yr olds at 0 participating Riccarton 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 is childcare per week in NZ?
- See the centre listings, methodology, and our FamilyBoost calculator on this page for daycare in Riccarton.
- How much does Winz pay for childcare subsidy?
- See the centre listings, methodology, and our FamilyBoost calculator on this page for daycare in Riccarton.
- How many hours is free daycare NZ?
- See the centre listings, methodology, and our FamilyBoost calculator on this page for daycare in Riccarton.
- Who is eligible for childcare subsidy NZ?
- See the centre listings, methodology, and our FamilyBoost calculator on this page for daycare in Riccarton.
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.