Education Minister, Paul Givan, has announced that the NI Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) will continue into 2025/26. Read the full press release.

PlayBoard comment:

“Whilst we welcome the continued commitment to childcare, it is deeply disappointing to see that, despite the grave challenges faced by school-age childcare providers (as highlighted in our recent State of the Sector report), the sector — and the parents who rely on school-age childcare services — have again been excluded from the subsidy scheme. PlayBoard is seeking urgent clarification from the Minister and officials regarding this decision and will issue a further statement once received.”

Alan Herron, Chief Executive  

Read our State of the Sector: School-Age Childcare Report.

Update 9 April

In follow up to the continued exclusion of support and recognition for the school-age childcare sector, representatives from PlayBoard and the School-Age Childcare & Playwork Forum sought a meeting with Education Minister, Paul Givan MLA.

The meeting, which took place on Tuesday 8 April, provided Forum representatives with the opportunity to highlight the value of play-based services and to outline our ongoing concerns around sustainability, unregistered provision, and exclusion of the sector from recent investments including the NI Childcare Subsidy Scheme.

Whilst the meeting was very much welcomed, both PlayBoard and the School-Age Childcare & Playwork Forum remain deeply concerned about the direction of travel for school-age childcare services, and the Forum will continue to advocate strongly for the sector.

If you would like to add your voice or join the Forum, or for more information please contact Katherine.lindsay@playboard.co.uk