Menu
24/05/2024
£25m Funding Allocated For Early Learning And Childcare
A funding package of £25 million has been announced by Education Minister Paul Givan to support children, parents and providers with early learning and childcare in 2024/25.
The package of measures is designed to stabilise and support expansion of the early learning and childcare sector, offer all children 22.5 hours pre-school education per week and reduce childcare bills for working parents through a Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme.
Speaking after Executive approval of the support measures, the Minister said: "This is an ambitious package of measures for early learning and childcare representing the most significant enhancement of early years investment in Northern Ireland in decades. This investment clearly demonstrates that, despite an extremely challenging budget position, the Executive remains committed to making support for young children, their families and the services they rely on, a top priority."
The new measures will also build the evidence base necessary to inform the longer-term Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.
The Minister continued: "I very much welcome the Executive's commitment to the delivery of 22.5 hours funded pre-school education for all children in their pre-school year. This is an unprecedented expansion of early years developmental provision in over 25 years and will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the lives of children in Northern Ireland for decades to come.
"It is a necessarily ambitious programme which will ease current pressures on parents and providers and lay the foundation upon which I intend to build. This is by no means the limit of my ambitions, but rather an important first step towards a full Early Learning and Childcare Strategy."
The package of measures is designed to stabilise and support expansion of the early learning and childcare sector, offer all children 22.5 hours pre-school education per week and reduce childcare bills for working parents through a Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme.
The new measures will also build the evidence base necessary to inform the longer-term Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.
The Minister continued: "I very much welcome the Executive's commitment to the delivery of 22.5 hours funded pre-school education for all children in their pre-school year. This is an unprecedented expansion of early years developmental provision in over 25 years and will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the lives of children in Northern Ireland for decades to come.
"It is a necessarily ambitious programme which will ease current pressures on parents and providers and lay the foundation upon which I intend to build. This is by no means the limit of my ambitions, but rather an important first step towards a full Early Learning and Childcare Strategy."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 July 2024
Health Minister Welcomes New Funding Of £122m
Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, has welcomed the new in-year funding of £122 million, announced by the Executive, for his Department. Mr Nesbitt said: "While this makes some contribution to reducing the deficit position facing the Health and Social Care system, a significant shortfall still remains.
Health Minister Welcomes New Funding Of £122m
Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, has welcomed the new in-year funding of £122 million, announced by the Executive, for his Department. Mr Nesbitt said: "While this makes some contribution to reducing the deficit position facing the Health and Social Care system, a significant shortfall still remains.
24 November 2021
NI Faces Childcare Crisis That Could Impact Parent's Ability To Work
Northern Ireland could be facing a childcare crisis which would have a severe impact on parents' ability to work, the Employers for Childcare (EfC) charity has warned.
NI Faces Childcare Crisis That Could Impact Parent's Ability To Work
Northern Ireland could be facing a childcare crisis which would have a severe impact on parents' ability to work, the Employers for Childcare (EfC) charity has warned.
05 December 2023
Full-Time Childcare Now More Than £10,000 A Year In NI
The average cost of a full-time childcare place in Northern Ireland is now more than £10,000 a year, an increase of 14% since 2021, according to a new report from Employers For Childcare (EFC).
Full-Time Childcare Now More Than £10,000 A Year In NI
The average cost of a full-time childcare place in Northern Ireland is now more than £10,000 a year, an increase of 14% since 2021, according to a new report from Employers For Childcare (EFC).
19 May 2008
Minding Kids Is No Childsplay
Many families seeking childcare in Northern Ireland are finding the search difficult, according to a major new survey on childcare commissioned by NICMA - the Childminding Association.
Minding Kids Is No Childsplay
Many families seeking childcare in Northern Ireland are finding the search difficult, according to a major new survey on childcare commissioned by NICMA - the Childminding Association.
30 October 2023
Alliance Calls For Re-Establishment Of Childcare Reference Group
The Alliance Party has called for the re-establishment of the Childcare Reference Group (CRG) to address challenges facing Northern Ireland's childcare sector. The CRG was established by the departments of Health (DoH) and Education (DoE) during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alliance Calls For Re-Establishment Of Childcare Reference Group
The Alliance Party has called for the re-establishment of the Childcare Reference Group (CRG) to address challenges facing Northern Ireland's childcare sector. The CRG was established by the departments of Health (DoH) and Education (DoE) during the Covid-19 pandemic.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Some bright or sunny periods and a few passing showers, but some spells of drier weather too. A breezy day with blustery westerly winds. Rather cool. Maximum temperature 17 °C.Tonight:Some late brightness this evening along with the odd shower. Then the rest of the night will be largely dry with clear periods. Chance of a shower later in north. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
