Aspirations and the 20 Hours ECE Programme
Aspirations is part of the Government’s 20 Hours Early Childhood Education (ECE) initiative. This means children aged three to five can receive up to 20 hours of government-subsidised ECE each week. The subsidy covers up to six hours per day, for a total of 20 hours per week. If your child attends more than the 20 subsidised hours, standard fees will apply for any additional time.

To access the 20 Hours ECE funding, simply enrol your child at an Aspirations centre and complete the attestation section during enrolment. Your fees will then reflect the subsidy based on that centre’s fee schedule.

Childcare Subsidies
You may be eligible for additional childcare subsidies through Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ). To qualify, you generally need to meet the following criteria:

• You are the main caregiver of the child
• You are a New Zealand citizen or hold permanent residency
• Your child attends at least three hours of childcare per week

The level of assistance depends on your personal circumstances and the type of care your child receives. You can use the online calculator and application form available on the Working for Families website to check your eligibility.

Family Boost Childcare Payment
The Government’s new Family Boost scheme offers eligible families up to 25% of their childcare fees back each quarter, up to a maximum of $975.

Aspirations can assist you in determining your eligibility and will provide a quarterly statement to support your claim.

For full details on eligibility and how to apply, visit the IRD website: https://www.ird.govt.nz/family