Understanding 20 Hours ECE: How It Works and What Parents Need to Know

Choosing an early childhood education centre involves many decisions, and one of the most common questions parents ask is how the 20 Hours ECE funding works.

Many families know that children over the age of three may be eligible for government-funded early childhood education, but there is often confusion about when the funding begins, how many hours are covered and whether any additional fees apply.

This guide explains how the 20 Hours ECE scheme works and how it applies at Just Kidz.

What Is 20 Hours ECE?

20 Hours ECE is a funding initiative provided by the New Zealand Government that helps reduce the cost of early childhood education for eligible children.



Children become eligible from their third birthday until they start school or turn six, whichever comes first.

The funding contributes towards up to 20 hours of early childhood education each week at participating licensed early learning services, including Just Kidz.

Who Can Receive 20 Hours ECE?

Your child may be eligible if they:

• Are at least three years old.
• Attend a licensed early childhood education provider.
• Have completed the required 20 Hours ECE Attestation Form.
• Attend the hours they are enrolled for.

There are no income tests, making the funding available to most New Zealand families with eligible children.

Does the Funding Cover Every Hour of Childcare?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions. The Government funds up to 20 hours per week, not unlimited childcare.

If your child attends for more than 20 hours each week, fees may apply for the additional hours, depending on your enrolment and your childcare provider's fee structure.

At Just Kidz, our fee schedule has been designed to provide families with flexible attendance options while incorporating the 20 Hours ECE subsidy for eligible children aged over three.

How Does It Affect Your Fees?

Once your child turns three and qualifies for 20 Hours ECE, the subsidy is reflected in our fees for eligible enrolments. For example, our fees for children aged over three already include the Government funding where applicable.

To receive the subsidy, families simply need to:

• Complete the required Attestation Form.
• Enrol for their agreed attendance schedule.
• Ensure their child attends the enrolled hours.

Our team is always happy to explain how the subsidy applies to your family's individual enrolment.

Can My Child Attend More Than 20 Hours?

Absolutely.

Many families choose to enrol their children for additional days or longer sessions to suit work, study or family commitments.

Children can attend more than 20 hours each week, with the Government subsidy applying to the eligible funded hours and normal fees applying to any additional hours, in accordance with the centre's fee schedule.



This allows families to choose the attendance pattern that best suits their lifestyle while still benefiting from government support.

Why Regular Attendance Matters

Regular attendance helps children get the most from their early learning experience. Attending consistently allows children to:

• Build confidence in familiar routines.
• Develop friendships with other children.
• Form strong relationships with their teachers.
• Continue progressing through play-based learning experiences.
• Build the social, emotional and communication skills that support a successful transition to school.

Consistency also ensures your child's funded hours are being used as intended under the 20 Hours ECE scheme.

What Happens If We Leave the Centre?

If you decide to withdraw your child from Just Kidz, we ask for at least two weeks' written notice.

If your child leaves before the notice period ends or begins attending another early childhood service that claims their Ministry of Education funding during that notice period, the Ministry stops funding those days.

In this situation, the usual daily fee for your child's age group (without the ECE subsidy) applies for the remaining notice period. This isn't a penalty. It simply covers the cost of holding your child's place when government funding is no longer available.

Our team is always happy to explain this process before any changes are made to your enrolment.

Why Choose Just Kidz?

At Just Kidz, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality early childhood education in a nurturing, inspiring environment.

Our experienced teaching teams create engaging learning experiences guided by Te Whāriki, encouraging curiosity, creativity, independence and confidence from the earliest years through to school readiness.

Whether your child is just starting their early learning journey or is preparing for primary school, we're here to support your family every step of the way.