Education Minister Paul Givan has today published the results of the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation, showing strong public support for ambitious plans to cut childcare costs and expand access to pre-school education.
The draft Strategy sets out the Minister’s ambitions to make childcare more affordable for working parents ensuring more children can access full-time pre-school education. It aims to support early years programmes targeting children facing disadvantage, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. It also commits to strengthening the early years workforce.
Key actions in the strategy included commitments to:
- Subsidise over 50% of childcare costs for working families by April 2032, when UK-wide and Executive financial support is combined;
- Provide universal full-time pre-school education for target-aged children, strongly positioning Northern Ireland amongst the leading international models of support;
- Introduce an Early Years Curriculum Framework to promote consistent content and pedagogy across early years and childcare providers;
- Expand developmental provision to all 2–3-year-olds;
- Stabilise funding for existing early years programmes targeting children facing disadvantage, and expand them in line with evidenced need;
- Fund specific initiatives for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities; and
- Develop a plan to strengthen the childcare workforce.
Publishing the analysis, the Paul Givan said: “This consultation sends a clear and positive message as there is strong support for transforming early learning and childcare in Northern Ireland. Parents, providers and stakeholders want a system that is more affordable, more accessible and delivers high-quality outcomes for children.
“This strategy represents a significant opportunity to reshape how we support children and families, including reducing childcare costs, expanding access to pre-school education and strengthening the early years workforce. It is about making a real difference to parents, helping them to work and balance family life, while ensuring every child has the best possible start.”
The Department received 469 responses, through an online survey and written submissions. A series of public events, both online and in person, supported engagement across the sector. Agreement rates for the strategy’s objectives were high, ranging from 77% to 86%.
The consultation responses indicated strong support for the standardisation of the pre-school education programme, the proposed increase to the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme, and the focus on children facing disadvantage, including those with SEND. Support for workforce measures was also strong, with respondents highlighting that a skilled, valued and well-supported workforce is essential to high-quality provision.
While the overall response was positive, respondents also called for faster progress and detail on implementation. The Minister concluded: “I acknowledge some of the feedback in the consultation called for faster progress and a detailed implementation plan. However, the scale and pace of implementation of the final strategy will depend on the level of resources available and the capacity of the sector to deliver. I will continue to press for the continued support and transformation of early learning and childcare across Northern Ireland.”
The analysis document can be accessed on the DE website at: https://www.education-ni.gov.
Further information is also included in a Written Ministerial Statement, available at: https://www.education-ni.
