AQW 26994/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 13/05/2025
Answered On Date: 29/05/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 20499/22-27, for an update on the progress of the review of Minimum Standards for Childminding and Day Care for Children Under Age 12.

Answer:

The first stage of the review of the Minimum Standards, a public consultation on adult-child ratios and the requirement for all prospective childcare workers to provide a health declaration countersigned by their GP, was launched on Monday 24 March 2025.

Following the close of the consultation on 20 June 2025, all responses will be collated for review by the Department, and a consultation report will be produced.

If it is considered that any urgent changes should be made to the Minimum Standards in advance of the completion of the wider review, these changes will be communicated through a Departmental Press Release, a Circular to HSC Trusts and a letter to all childcare providers.

Following the consultation a piece of work will be taken forward with relevant stakeholders to draft a new set of Minimum Standards.