Get up to 50 Hours of FREE* care this April School Holidays.
*with an approved OSCAR Subsidy. FREE hours depend on your subsidy threshold and session cost.
sKids is MSD approved and an accredited OSCAR Provider.
Families who are eligible for OSCAR are entitled to claim the subsidy on up to 20 hours per week during the school term and 50 hours per week during the school holidays.
Good News!
Starting 1st April 2024, the rules for getting the OSCAR Subsidy are changing. This means if you couldn’t get it before, you might be able to now!
Here’s what’s new:
Higher Income Limit:
The income limit has increased, so you may receive more subsidy for your child’s care.
More Families Qualify:
If you thought you made too much before, it’s time to check again. The income limit has increased, so you may be eligible now.
Check what the OSCAR benefit rate changes are from 1st April 2024.
Check how much your family could receive
Who can get the OSCAR subsidy?
You need to be...
Working, studying or on an approved training course
Involved in an activity that Work and Income has asked you to do
A shift worker who works nights
Seriously ill or disabled
Caring for a child in hospital or for a child you get the Child Disability Allowance for
You may get an OSCAR subsidy if...
You’re the main carer of a dependent child
You’re a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
Your family is on a low or middle income.
You can’t get the OSCAR Subsidy if the child’s other parent or caregiver can take care of the child.
The child or young person must...
Normally live in New Zealand
Be at school
Be under 14 (or under 18 if you get a Child Disability Allowance for them)
Be attending an OSCAR programme that’s been approved by the Ministry of Social Development, eg: before school / after school / holiday programmes and camps
Be attending the programme for 3 or more hours a week
You need to be...
Working, studying or on an approved training course
Involved in an activity that Work and Income has asked you to do
A shift worker who works nights
Seriously ill or disabled
Caring for a child in hospital or for a child you get the Child Disability Allowance for.
You may get an OSCAR Subsidy if...
You’re the main carer of a dependent child
You’re a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
Your family is on a low or middle income.
You can’t get the OSCAR Subsidy if the child’s other parent or caregiver can take care of the child.
The child or young person must...
Normally live in New Zealand
Be at school
Homework, outside play and group games
Be under 14 (or under 18 if you get a Child Disability Allowance for them)
Emotional / social / cognitive / creative / physical
Be attending an OSCAR programme that’s been approved by the Ministry of Social Development, eg: before school / after school / holiday programmes and camps
Be attending the programme for 3 or more hours a week
How to apply for the subsidy
1. Complete and confirm your booking at the programme you would like your child to attend. Select “Regular Bank Payments every 2 weeks” for your payment option
2. Complete the application or declaration form:
If you are unsure of your eligibility or which form you need to complete,
CLICK HERE
New applicants, complete the OSCAR Subsidy application form.
Existing applicants, complete the OSCAR Subsidy declaration form.
3. Complete your part of the form, then send it to us by email. Or bring your form to the programme your child will be attending. If you are attending a franchised-owned site, please send it directly to the site by email or in person.
4. We will complete our part of the form and submit your application to WINZ on your behalf. WINZ will be in contact with you directly if they require anymore information.
If you’re eligible, you will be granted the Childcare Subsidy from the date you first contact MSD, as long as you complete your application within 20 working days of that date.
How to apply for the subsidy
1. Complete and confirm your booking at the programme you would like your child to attend. Select “Regular Bank Payments every 2 weeks” for your payment option
2. Complete the application or declaration form:
If you are unsure of your eligibility or which form you need to complete, please contact WINZ.
First time applicants, complete the OSCAR Subsidy application form.
DOWNLOAD HERE
Existing applicants, complete the OSCAR Subsidy declaration form.
DOWNLOAD HERE
3. Complete your part of the form, and send it to us via email, or bring your form to the programme your child will be attending. If you are attending an franchised-owned site, please send it directly to the site via email or in person.
4. We will fill out our part of the form and submit your application to WINZ on your behalf. WINZ will be in contact with you directly if they require anymore information.
If you’re eligible, you will be granted the Childcare Subsidy from the date you first contact MSD, as long as you complete your application within 20 working days of that date.
Other frequently asked questions
Work and Income’s Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) subsidy is a payment that helps you with the cost of Before and After School Care as well as the cost of School Holiday Programmes. If you’re eligible, you can claim up to 20 hours per week for Before and After School Care and up to 50 hours per week for School Holiday Programmes.
We’ll work with you and your local Work and Income office to make sure that the process of applying for and receiving an OSCAR subsidy is straightforward and stress-free.
You can get up to 20 hours during term time and up to 50 hours during school holidays.
How much you get depends on:
- the size of your family
- your income
- how many hours a week your child goes to the childcare provider.
If you don’t know how many hours of care you’ll need each week (eg, you’re a casual or on-call worker) we’ll talk with you about your options when you apply.
Payments would be made directly to sKids and start from the date the care starts (or from the date you apply if you apply after it starts).
To give you an idea of how much you could be subsidised for a sKids Programme, from 1st April 2024, Click Here
For more information, please visit the WINZ website, Click Here
To receive your OSCAR subsidy from the day your child starts the programme, you need to submit your application to us at least 3-4 weeks before your child’s first day. This is especially important in school holidays.
To find out more information regarding the OSCAR Subsidy, please visit the pages below.
