Education Minister has today published the results
of the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation,
showing strong public support for ambitious plans to cut
childcare costs and expand access to pre-school education.
The draft Strategy sets out the Minister's ambitions to make
childcare more affordable for working parents ensuring more
children can access full-time pre-school education. It aims
to support early years programmes targeting children facing
disadvantage, including those with special educational needs
and/or disabilities. It also commits to strengthening the early
years workforce.
Publishing the analysis, the said:
This consultation sends a clear and positive message as there is
strong support for transforming early learning and childcare in
Northern Ireland. Parents, providers and stakeholders want a
system that is more affordable, more accessible and delivers
high-quality outcomes for children.
This strategy represents a significant opportunity to reshape how
we support children and families, including reducing childcare
costs, expanding access to pre-school education and strengthening
the early years workforce. It is about making a real difference
to parents, helping them to work and balance family life, while
ensuring every child has the best possible start.
The Department received 469 responses, through an online survey
and written submissions. A series of public events, both online
and in person, supported engagement across the sector. Agreement
rates for the strategy's objectives were high, ranging from 77%
to 86%.
The consultation responses indicated strong support for the
standardisation of the pre-school education programme, the
proposed increase to the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy
Scheme, and the focus on children facing disadvantage, including
those with SEND. Support for workforce measures was also strong,
with respondents highlighting that a skilled, valued and
well-supported workforce is essential to high-quality provision.
While the overall response was positive, respondents also called
for faster progress and detail on implementation. The Minister
concluded:
I acknowledge some of the feedback in the consultation called for
faster progress and a detailed implementation plan. However, the
scale and pace of implementation of the final strategy will
depend on the level of resources available and the capacity of
the sector to deliver. I will continue to press for the continued
support and transformation of early learning and childcare across
Northern Ireland.
The analysis document can be accessed on the DE website at:
https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-draft-executive-elc-strategy
Further information is also included in a Written Ministerial
Statement, available at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/written-ministerial-statement-early-learning-and-childcare-strategy-consultation-analysis
Notes to editors:
1. The draft Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) strategy was
published for public consultation on 17 December 2025. The
strategy was launched for a 14-week consultation period, which
closed on 24 March 2026.
2. A consultation survey, an Equality Impact Assessment,
Rural Needs Impact Assessment and a Children's Rights Impact
Assessment were provided. An Easy Read version of the Strategy
was also made available.
3. Key actions in the strategy included commitments to:
- Subsidise over 50% of childcare costs for working families by
April 2032, when UK-wide and Executive financial support is
combined;
- Provide universal full-time pre-school education for
target-aged children, strongly positioning Northern Ireland
amongst the leading international models of support;
- Introduce an Early Years Curriculum Framework to promote
consistent content and pedagogy across early years and childcare
providers;
- Expand developmental provision to all 23-year-olds;
- Stabilise funding for existing early years programmes
targeting children facing disadvantage, and expand them in line
with evidenced need;
- Fund specific initiatives for children with special
educational needs and/or disabilities; and
- Develop a plan to strengthen the childcare workforce.
