Kiwi parents missing out on thousands of dollars in funding

Kiwi parents missing out on thousands of dollars in ECE funding

Finding the right childcare option is such a mine field for new parents that the vast majority ignores that employing a nanny or even a relative to look after their children could give them access to up to 30 ECE hours a week. That represents $2,000 to $5,000 a year per child age 0 to 5.

Lack of clear communication around ECE funding are causing families to not claim the subsidies they would be entitled to. Most parents know about the 20 ECE hours but believe this is only if your child is over the age of 3 and attending a daycare center. The 30 ECE hours that nanny companies can provide is mainly unheard of by new parents.

Some families don’t want to spend money on nanny agency fees and prefer to recruit their nanny online or through word of mouth. But in order to claim funding, you must be part of a home-base education programme ran by an agency licenced by the ministry of Education.

“We had one family in Wellington who had hired a nanny privately for 3 years and were now wanting to use an agency. After talking to them, we realised they had been missing out on $8,250 worth of funding as they thought their children, age 1 and 3, were too young to get ECE funding” says Lisa Bentley, the owner of KiwiOz Nannies, a nanny agency based in Auckland and Wellington.

Funding is not income based but some requirements have to be met. The family property must be fully fenced or include a fenced area for children where they can play outdoors safely, and a child safety first aid kit must be in the home. The agency will carry out a house safety check and make sure your nanny’s first aid certificate and police check are up to date. The nanny has to record the child’s learning and a qualified and registered Early Childhood Teacher will be visiting her monthly to support her in her role.

Apart from getting access to funding, joining a home-based education programme gives children access to a range of resources and activities. The nanny feels supported in her role and the family will receive detailed monthly reports about their child's learning, including pictures.

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