SDLP Proposes Radical Overhaul Of Childcare In NI

The SDLP has unveiled an ambitious plan to revolutionise early education and childcare in Northern Ireland, aiming to halve costs for parents by 2030.

The party's policy, dubbed 'A Childcare Guarantee', was launched by SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP and Economy Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin MLA at the High Rise Indoor Adventure Centre in Lisburn. The event was attended by various stakeholders from the sector.

The key elements of the proposal include:

• Affordability: The SDLP is committed to publishing an Early Learning and Childcare Strategy with the goal of capping costs and reducing them by 50% for parents within the next seven years.

• Sustainability: A new funding scheme will be introduced to ensure that childcare providers can operate sustainably and that workers are fairly compensated.

• Quality: An independent expert body will be established to oversee childcare and early education policy, guaranteeing the best possible start in life for children. Foyle MLA Ms McLaughlin said: "Childcare costs are one of the most pressing issues facing our society. Barely a day goes by without parents telling me about the huge sums they pay out every month, often far more than their mortgage. In some cases, parents, especially mothers, are forced out of the workforce altogether. Meanwhile, childcare providers struggle to keep the doors open and lights on, while workers in the sector face insecurity and low pay. Affordable, high-quality and child-centred early education and childcare must be seen as a critical driver of productivity and equality in the economy and society.

"Earlier this year, SDLP Leader Claire Hanna and others secured the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme, which delivered immediate support for parents in order to help with these costs. We now need to see an ambitious strategy with a cap on costs so no parent is paying more than they can afford. We are also advocating for a new public funding scheme to support providers and raise pay for workers, along with a new expert-led independent body to oversee childcare policy and ensure progress isn't thwarted by further Assembly dither or collapse.

"This will require a significant financial investment and will take time to be implemented but will be more than offset by the benefits to our economy and society from investing in early years education and childcare. The Executive can start by setting aside the additional funding they receive for increased childcare spending in England.

"Our plan has the potential to dramatically reduce costs for parents, boost our economy, put childcare providers on an even footing and give our children the best start in life. The Executive must engage seriously with these proposals in the absence of any of their own and take meaningful steps to support parents and providers."