AQW 22573/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 13/02/2025
Answered On Date: 21/02/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail whether his Department is tracking information on (i) the pricing of all childcare providers registered on the NI Childcare Subsidy Scheme; and (ii) staff salaries, to understand the level of support required.

Answer:

Childcare providers recorded details of their fees upon registering for the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS). As the Scheme is continuing into 2025-26 financial year, providers will be required to update this information.

As the NICSS is designed to reduce the cost of childcare for eligible working parents, it does not collect information on staff salaries. A scoping study led by the Department for the Economy has been set up to assess the business support needs of childcare providers.