Quick answer
For preschool care, check Childcare Subsidy and 20 Hours ECE. For before-school, after-school or holiday care, check OSCAR. For family tax support, check Working for Families. Each has its own conditions and payment arrangements. [1][2][3][4]
Check your situation
- How old is your child, are they at school, and what care hours do you need?
- Is the provider or holiday programme approved, and does it offer 20 Hours ECE?
- Who is the main caregiver, and what are your household income, work or study arrangements?
Use these questions for your own planning. You do not need to enter or submit personal information here.
Support to explore
These are starting points, not eligibility decisions. Check each programme separately.
Childcare Subsidy
Help with eligible preschool care costs, usually paid directly to the provider. [1]
Official conditions and application information ↗20 Hours ECE
Early learning funding for children aged 3, 4 and 5. Confirm whether the provider offers it and which hours it covers. [2]
Official conditions and application information ↗OSCAR Subsidy
Help with approved before-school, after-school and holiday programmes, with age, income and care-need conditions. [3]
Official conditions and application information ↗Working for Families
IRD family tax support includes Best Start. Do not add Best Start again as a wholly separate payment. [4]
Official conditions and application information ↗What to check before applying
- Childcare Subsidy and 20 Hours ECE generally cannot cover the same hours. A specific exception exists for approved home-based care top-up costs; confirm with the provider and Work and Income. [1]
- 20 Hours ECE covers up to 20 hours a week and 6 hours a day. Check the agreement for extra hours and other charges. [2]
- OSCAR requires an approved programme; a holiday activity is not automatically eligible. [3]
Application checklist
Gather these documents first. The official application process determines which evidence is required and how to provide it.
- Your child’s date of birth, caregiver details and household income.
- Care timetable, fee breakdown and programme approval details from the provider.
- Check which application sections the provider must complete and which costs existing funding covers.
What to do next
- Confirm age, hours, charges and funding with the provider before choosing the relevant official application. [1][2][3]
- Work and Income recommends applying for Childcare Subsidy 3 to 4 weeks ahead. For OSCAR to start from the first day, apply before that day. [1][3]
- Check IRD family tax support separately, and update income or care arrangements when they change. [4]
Amounts, payment start dates, backdating, renewals and combinations can depend on your circumstances. Check the latest official information before applying.
Common questions
Does 20 Hours ECE make all preschool costs free?
No. Confirm funded hours, charges for extra hours and other fee arrangements. [2]
Official sources and review date
These are independent iKoru summaries. Numbered citations link to the sources; official information and later notices take precedence.
- Work and Income: Childcare Subsidy ↗Sources checked: 2026-09-28
- Ministry of Education: 20 Hours ECE ↗Sources checked: 2026-09-28
- Work and Income: Oscar Subsidy ↗Sources checked: 2026-09-28
- IRD: Working For Families ↗Sources checked: 2026-09-28
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