Concern paying childcare fees in lockdown

– if parental contributions make up 30 per cent of their income.

‘‘It’s difficult because a lot of early learning services, the parental contributions will make up less than 30 per cent, which means they won’t be eligible for the wage subsidy, but in many cases particularly some of those smaller services, won’t be operating on large margins’’, Hipkins said.

‘‘I do acknowledge that there are some difficult decisions for them and I’d encourage them to have open and honest conversations with their parent communities about that.

‘‘But I wouldn’t expect ... they certainly can’t compel parents to continue to pay those fees.’’

Many centres and private preschools have brought their holidays forward along with schools. They were offering free online learning tools during the four-week lockdown and have waived their fees. But not all have.

A father of a 3-year-old, who didn’t want to be named in case it affected his child’s spot at the school, was disappointed to still be expected to pay full fees during the lockdown.

‘‘So many organisations are reaching out to us to work out how we can get through this together.

‘‘But our preschool has been silent on what they are proposing and only want to talk to us if we are facing financial hardship. All parents will know that childcare is a significant cost and to pay that with the kids at home is pretty galling.’’

The Ministry of Education oversees and support early learning services but does not administer the sector in the same way it does schools.

In New Zealand, all early learning service providers operate independently of the ministry, either as commercial businesses or one of various types of not-forprofit organisations.

Earlier, the Ministry advised that childcare fees were a private arrangement between each centre and its parents and it was up to each centre provider to make the final decision.

‘‘We would expect ECES to be flexible about parental fees, given they are still being funded by government while closed, and in addition may be eligible for the wage subsidy,’’ Hipkins previously told Stuff in a statement.

‘‘We operate a high-trust model in the way we fund ECES and the discussions they have with their parent communities should reflect that.

‘‘If parents believe a centre is not being reasonable, I encourage them to contact the Ministry of Education for advice.’’

The Ministry of Education’s Covid-19 website also asks centres to reconsider charing parents fees during the lockdown.

‘‘We appreciate that many parents and families are facing considerable pressures at this time, including substantial or complete loss of income. Paying additional fees may be not be possible for some.

‘‘The Government is continuing to support early learning service providers through ECE funding subsidy with no clawbacks during the lockdown period, and access to the Covid-19 [wage] subsidy.’’