There are a range of childcare and pre-school services in Christchurch for you to choose from, finding the best one to suit you and your child may take some time and visits until you decide which one is best for your family. 

Education and care centres – Kindergartens are run by the Kindergarten Association. All of the teachers must be registered and hold a diploma in teaching or similar qualification. There are many early childhood centres that have several facilities nationwide. Some centre's offer care from new borns or 6 months of age up until they are 5 or 6. Children progress through different stages at the education facility and socialise with other children of similar ages. 

All teacher-led early childhood education services including köhanga reo and playcentres offer the free 20 Hours ECE for children three years old and over. Ask your early childhood education service provider if they offer the 20 Hours ECE before you enrol your child. It can be used for up to six hours a day and up to 20 hours a week of early childhood education. 

Home-based care groups are groups of young children educated though a home-based care network, which provides full or part time care and education led by a teacher. The parent or caregiver will usually have the support from the home-based care network. The care giver can study and further their qualifications in education through the home based care group. Numbers are limited to normally 4 children per adult making the adult to child ratio small. Take your child for a visit to any potential home based carer and you will soon be able to tell if that environment will be suited to your child.

Parent-led services are where the parents and family or caregivers educate and care for their children. These include Playcentres and Kōhanga Reo, all of which must be licensed and meet certain criteria from the Ministry of Education. There are also Playgroups which may or may not be government certified depending on the funding and status of the playgroup.

There are many options available to you when choosing a child care facility in Christchurch. Take your time and take your child with you when you visit these places. Watch closely what’s going
on in the service and how your child reacts. If it's a home-based child care service you’re visiting then you will need to meet with the coordinator of that service. They will be able to answer any questions you have and will arrange for you to meet potential home-based educators with space available to take your child. 

Some facilities including home based care have waiting lists so if you know you are going to need childcare contacting them early will avoid disappointment.