Childcare Subsidy
Childcare Subsidy is a payment that helps with the cost of pre-school childcare.
Who can get it
You may get a Childcare Subsidy if:
- you're the main carer of a dependent child
- you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- you normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here
- your family is on a low or middle income.
The child must be:
- aged either:
- under 5, or
- over 5 if the school has advised they can't start until the beginning of the term straight after their 5th birthday, or
- under 6 if you get a Child Disability Allowance for them
- attending an approved early childhood programme, eg:
- kindergartens and preschools
- childcare centres and creches
- playcentres
- a playgroup that has been approved by Ministry of Education
- Kohanga Reo, Punanga Reo, Aoga and other programmes with a language and culture focus
- approved home-based care (eg, Porse, Barnados)
- a hospital-based education and care service
- in childcare for 3 or more hours a week.