Advocates for the deaf community say young children have difficulties with hearing do not have enough access to New Zealand Sign Language.
Deaf Aotearoa chief executive Lachlan Keating said currently around 280 families were served by the government-funded First Signs service.
"Really, we believe there are around 1000 children who should be eligible for this service," said Keating.
Currently, there were just 15 facilitators of the programme nationwide, not nearly enough to meet demand.
The Hearing House, which provides specialist services to support cochlear implant users, has started running playgroups to try and fill the gaps.
Chief executive Claire Green told 1News people wanted access to New Zealand Sign Language.
"I am hearing how hard it is, and that is a disappointment."
Cameron Owens, whose three-year-old daughter Holly was hard of hearing, said dealing with it was a "whole new world for us".
"We really want her to have access to New Zealand Sign Language and learn that, as she grows, so she can choose to be part of that deaf community when she is older.
"More access to sign language can only be a good thing to help them thrive."
The Ministry of Education said in a statement that its early childhood curriculum recommended education providers offered all children the opportunity to learn New Zealand Sign Language and about deaf culture.
More than $2.8m had been allocated to fund the First Signs programme, but Keating said only 25% of the community was being engaged.
"It would be a significant seven-figure increase in funding that we would be seeking from the Government," he said.
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