20 “free” hours takeup

The Government has announced that 62% of early childcare centres have signed up for the 20 “free hours scheme, covering 70% of three and four year olds enrolled. It varies by region with the coverage rate in Auckland being only 51%.

However a survey by the Early Childhood Council found about 50% of centres taking part will be increasing fees. They do this by requiring kids to stay for more than 20 hours a week, and jacking up the fee for the additional hours – 30% are doing that. Around 20% are increasing the fees for one and two year olds, to cover the costs of the older kids.

So in reality only about one third of parents are really getting 20 hours for free.