AQW 40912/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 18/02/2026
Answered On Date: 05/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the regulation of childcare providers, since he took up office.

Answer:

Under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 HSC Trusts have responsibility for the registration and annual inspection of childcare providers. To ensure a regional approach and a consistent level of quality, my department developed and published the Minimum Standards for Childminding and Day Care for Children Under 12 in 2012.

The department is currently carrying out a comprehensive review of the Minimum Standards, which began in 2025 with a public consultation on two key issues for the sector: adult to child ratios and the requirement for all prospective childcare workers to provide a health declaration countersigned by their GP before taking up employment.

Analysis of the 495 responses received from a wide range of stakeholders has now been completed, and I will be publishing the department’s response in the coming weeks in advance of my officials carrying out the wider review of the Standards.