AQW 39870/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 05/02/2026
Answered On Date: 23/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any consideration given to enabling early learning and childcare providers to make referrals for special educational needs assessments, where concerns are identified.

Answer:

All registered early years and childcare providers must adhere to the Department of Health (DoH) Minimum Standards for Childminding and Day Care for Children Under Age 12. Standard 9 of these stipulates the requirements placed on the registered person, person in charge or childminder regarding identification of a child in their care as possibly having additional needs.

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dhssps/early-years-standards-full-version.pdf .

The draft ELC Strategy launched on 17 December 2025 for public consultation, seeks to further enhance identification of and response to the needs of all children. It sets out a range of proposed actions to this effect. These include a holistic approach to child development through integrated family-centered services which brings together Allied Health Professionals, Speech and Language Therapists, early years practitioners, family support teams, and others to develop a targeted programme for children with emerging additional needs, and extended access to developmental support for children aged 2–3, initially prioritising children facing disadvantage and those with additional needs.

As with all initiatives proposed within the draft ELC Strategy, the extent to which they can be delivered will be dependent on the resources made available by the Executive.