‘Relief’ as 12,000 benefit from new childcare subsidy

Fiona Taggart said the financial support has been “a big relief”

Fiona Taggart A woman is sitting on top of a mountain in a blue t-shirt. She has blonde hair and is smiling. In the background, there is a landscape of greenery and water. — Fiona Taggart said the financial support has been “a big relief”

About 12,000 children in Northern Ireland have been registered for a new subsidy scheme to help with the cost of childcare.

The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme came into force in September and offers financial relief to households with children under primary school age.

Part of the package includes a 15% childcare subsidy on top of the 20% granted by the UK government, both of which are capped.

One parent, who registered her child, told BBC News NI she is now saving £200 a month on childcare.

Fiona Taggart from Saintfield said the financial support has been “a big relief”.

“Especially happening throughout the winter months – with fuel and costs still so high – the extra money is a huge burden taken off for families,” she added.

Figures from the Department of Education show that the majority of children registered for the scheme live in Lagan Valley, with more than 1,100 registrations.

In south Belfast there were about 900 registrations.

The lowest uptake so far is in west Belfast, with just over 200.

Kim Gawley said the subsidy was a “great start” for parents

Kim Gawley A woman with dark brown hair is looking at the camera and smiling. She is holding a blond baby in her arms, the child is wearing a cream top, pink bib and has her hand in her mouth. Beside her is another young child with shoulder-length dark blonde curls. She is wearing a cream dress and looking off to the side of the image. — Kim Gawley said the subsidy was a “great start” for parents

Kim Gawley from Ballymena has two children and told BBC News NI that two days of childcare amounts to almost half her monthly wages.

She returned to work full time in May and said the subsidy is a “great start” to supporting working parents.

“I didn’t think this scheme would ease the pressure as much as it has, but we are saving £25 a week on childcare now.”

‘A step in the right direction’

The subsidy scheme is provided through registered childcare providers – with discounts passed on to parents.

Patricia Lewsley-Mooney, CEO of the Northern Ireland Childminding Association, said despite some issues with the set up and administrative costs, almost half of providers had signed up to facilitate the scheme.

She said the payments were a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to support the childcare sector.

“Childcare providers are saying they are delighted that we are able to help parents, but they are also asking where the support is for registered childminders. How do we ensure we don’t lose any more from the sector?”

Ms Lewsley-Mooney said more than 50% of providers had left the sector in the past 20 years

Patricia Lewsley-Mooney A woman is looking directly into the camera. She has blonde, shoulder-length hair and is wearing a black and cream patterned shirt. The wall behind her is grey and to the side there is a horizontal dark grey radiator. — Ms Lewsley-Mooney said more than 50% of providers had left the sector in the past 20 years

Ms Lewsley-Mooney said rising costs and limited budgetary support have led to the sector losing more than 50% of providers in the past 20 years.

“Our registered childminders told the education minister that the biggest issue for them is fuel and food and their insurances,” said Ms Lewsley-Mooney.

“They can’t pass that cost to parents when parents are already finding it difficult to find the money for childcare in the first place.”

The executive set aside £25m for childcare in the budget – about 6% of the estimated need.

When announcing the scheme in May, Education Minister Paul Givan promoted the funding’s potential to have a “lasting impact”.

Ms Taggart said despite the scheme being a “quick way” to help parents in need, not knowing whether this is a long-term solution is a problem.

“The fear with parents is how long this will be lasting, so we can plan forward.”

In a statement to BBC News NI, the Department of Education said: “Any decisions regarding the scheme, including an extension after March 2025, will be considered as part of the scheme’s ongoing evaluation.

“Ultimately, it will be for the Executive to decide if it wishes to allocate the funding required to continue the scheme next year – either as it is or in an expanded capacity.”