UPDATED 4.55PM The Government is defending its track record on early childhood care, after new research that shows New Zealand services are the second most expensive in the world. 

OECD research suggests childcare is twice as pricey here, than in Australia.

But Education Minister Hekia Parata said the report is comparing apples and oranges.

She said the OECD based figures on two children, while the Government models on one child, and the report looked at full-time 40 hour care, while the Government focuses on 20 hours of care.

Ms Parata said they're already doing their best to bring costs down.

"In the time we've been in Government, we've doubled funding into early childhood education. When we came in, it was $780 million - it's now almost $1.8 billion."

LISTEN ABOVE: New Zealand Education Institute president Louise Green spoke with Mike Hosking

However, NZEI President Louise Green said for many parents struggling to earn a living wage, affording childcare is just too hard.

"It really is difficult isn't it. Costs are high if you want your children in early childhood education for long periods of time and really, who can afford those costs."

Ms Green said unfortunately costs deter mothers from going back to work quickly.

She told Mike Hosking the high prices may be down to our high proportion of private childcare providers seeking profits.

"Early childhood education in New Zealand is highly privatised as well. At the end of the day the services need to charge on to parents what it costs to run them."