Education Minister announces continuation of Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme
Date published:
Education Minister, Paul Givan, has today announced that the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) will continue into 2026-27.
The subsidy cap, which is the maximum amount that can be claimed per child will rise from April 2026 to reflect expected increases in childcare fees. In addition, the administrative payment provided to childcare providers participating in the scheme is being increased.
Paul Givan said:
“Since the scheme launched in September 2024, it has helped ease the financial burden on thousands of parents throughout Northern Ireland, delivering over £25 million in savings for 20,000 working families.
“This £25 million is additional money in Northern Ireland parents’ pockets because of the scheme. When combined with Tax-Free Childcare, it is estimated that these working families will have saved over £50 million since September 2024.
“While an agreed Executive budget for 2026-27 has not yet been agreed and the draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy consultation remains ongoing, the subsidy scheme is providing vital support and is delivering for working families across Northern Ireland. I am therefore pleased to announce that that the NICSS will continue from 1 April 2026. The subsidy rate will continue at 15% at this stage, pending any further increases agreed by the Executive as part of the final strategy and confirmation of the necessary budget allocation.”
The Minister added:
"In recognition of the anticipated increased fees from April, I am also increasing the subsidy cap by 10% from 1 April 2026 to ensure that the vast majority of eligible working parents continue to receive the full subsidy available.”
Introduced in September 2024, the NICSS provides a 15% subsidy on childcare costs for eligible working parents with children aged 0-11.
The scheme is delivered by registered childcare providers participating in the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme, including daycares, playgroups, childminders, Approved Home Childcares, and schools.
The Minister continued:
“We are also increasing the administrative payment to providers who deliver the scheme, recognising their rising operating costs and ensuring these costs are not passed on to parents.
“The NICSS continues to provide vital support to eligible working families, and I will consider what more can be done once next year’s budget is confirmed. I would encourage any parents or providers who have not yet registered to do so and take advantage of the scheme.”
Further details on the revised cap and provider payments will be communicated directly to registered providers by the scheme’s administrator the Early Years Organisation in the coming days.
Notes to editors:
1. The NICSS is delivered by the Early Years Organisation on behalf of the Department of Education. Childcare providers and parents can register for the Scheme at: NICSS — Early Years - the organisation for young children (early-years.org)
2. The NICSS is focused on eligible working parents, based on Tax Free Childcare (TFC) eligibility, with children who have not yet started primary school. These tend to be the highest users of childcare and therefore incur the greatest costs. The NICSS provides a 15% subsidy towards parents’ bills (paid directly to providers to reduce upfront costs). Parents may also continue to use TFC for support on their remaining eligible childcare costs, whereby for every £8 parents pay into their TFC account, the Government contributes £2, up to the annual limit.
3. The subsidy can be offered by eligible registered childcare providers who are signed up to the TFC scheme. This includes nurseries, playgroups, and childminders and schools. It also covers Approved Home Childcare (AHC) providers who are approved by Department of Health (DoH). You must also have a TFC account for your child. It does not apply to unregistered or informal childcare arrangements.
4. It is a decision for eligible childcare providers to decide whether or not they wish to offer the subsidy to their parents. The NICSS is not mandatory for providers, therefore not all providers may decide to offer the subsidy.
5. The subsidy provided to parents can be claimed back by providers directly from the scheme administrator. This ensures that the provider can offer the subsidy without any financial loss.
6. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) are updated regularly, and can be accessed at: NICSS-FAQ-Parents — Early Years - the organisation for young children
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