Fees & Funding

Child with blonde curly hair and a beige knitted sweater placing a colorful Easter egg into a hole in a tree stump, which is decorated with scattered yellow petals and surrounded by plants and pebbles.

Will it cost me anything?

Nelson Tasman Kindergartens is a not-for-profit charity committed to giving every child the best possible start. Every dollar we receive goes towards employing trained, registered teachers and creating wonderful learning environments and resources.

20 Hours Free ECE Policy

All our kindergartens offer the Ministry of Education’s 20 Hours ECE funding. From age 3, tamariki can receive up to 20 hours of funded ECE each week. When these hours are used at our kindergartens, they are free to you.

Up to 30 Hours Free from Age Two

Most of our kindergartens also provide up to 30 hours free per week from age two.

If you intend to use your 20 Hours ECE with us once your tamaiti turns 3, we provide those same 20 hours free from age 2. From age 3, when the Ministry of Education funding begins and you allocate all 20 hours to our kindergarten, we provide up to another 10 hours free each week.

Matangi Āwhio Auckland Point and Bridge Street Kindergartens have different funding arrangements because they welcome tamariki under 2. Please check with your kindergarten administrator to see what applies to your tamaiti.

Additional Costs

In some situations, additional fees may apply if

  • You do not attest all 20 hours of ECE to your chosen kindergarten.

  • Your child is under three years old.

  • Your child attends for more than six hours a day.

  • All children under 2 years old (only at Bridge Street and Matangi Āwhio Auckland Point Kindergartens)

Your kindergarten administrator can provide specific fee details for your kindergarten.

Whānau Contribution

We invite whānau to make a voluntary contribution of 50 cents per hour to help cover additional costs not funded by the Ministry.

This supports things like local trips, learning resources, art and craft supplies, extra activities and specialist kaiako.

The whānau contribution is optional. If you are unable to contribute financially, there are other ways to support your kindergarten — please talk with your teaching team.

Support with Fees

Many families may be eligible for the WINZ Childcare Subsidy to help with fees.

We can also provide quarterly Family Boost Statements for whānau who pay fees.

For any questions about fees or subsidies, please speak to the administrator at your chosen kindergarten.

Two children are sitting at a wooden table, stringing small colorful beads onto thin wire. The table holds a wooden compartmentalized tray filled with multicolored beads and Christmas-themed striped paper straws. One child, wearing a white shirt and a colorful apron, is holding a piece of string, while the other is guiding a bead onto it.

Family Contribution

We invite all families to make a small Family Contribution of 50 cents per hour to help cover additional costs not funded by the Ministry of Education. This supports things like travel for local trips, printing profile books, art and craft supplies, stationery, and extra activities such as physical development sessions. These all contribute to enriching your child’s learning experience and help us give them the best possible start.

If you're unable to contribute financially, there may be other ways to support your kindergarten — feel free to talk with your teaching team. The Family Contribution is considered a donation and may be claimed for tax purposes. For more information, visit the IRD website.

All Nelson Tasman Kindergartens offer the Ministry of Education's
20 Hours ECE Policy.

Information on fees

ENQUIRE TO ENROL

    • Fees must be paid within 7 days of receiving an invoice.

    • Invoices are issued weekly or fortnightly, depending on the kindergarten.

    • We prefer Automatic Payments or Internet Banking.

  • Please ensure that you complete the Fee Declaration under ‘Fee Information’ on the enrolment form within 7 days. Failure to do this could result in your child no longer having a place at kindergarten.

  • All absences, including illness, are charged at the normal fee, as your child’s place remains reserved until they return.

  • No fees are charged for public holidays.

    • If fees are unpaid for 14 days, you will be required to set up automatic payments to clear the debt and manage future fees.

    • If fees remain unpaid for 28 days, the account will be referred to the Association Office, which may:

      • Reduce your child’s hours of enrolment,

      • Remove your child from the roll, and/or

      • Refer the debt to a Debt Collection Agency.

  • If you have any enquiries regarding Fees, please initially see the Administrator at the kindergarten, or contact the Association Office on (03) 546 7683.