AQW 41165/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 23/02/2026
Answered On Date: 06/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on how he is addressing unregistered childminding.

Answer:

HSC Trust Early Years Teams investigate all reports of unregistered childcare, serving enforcement notices under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 where appropriate.

In addition, my department continues to promote the benefits of using registered childcare and raise awareness of the risks associated with unregistered childcare, through the www.familysupportni.gov.uk website.

The developing Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy will also assist in tackling the issue of unregistered childminders, by promoting the value of registered childminding, as well as making childcare more affordable and accessible for parents who need it.