28/05/2025
NI Childcare Subsidy Scheme Saves Families £8m
Education Minister Paul Givan has published administrative data for the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) from September 2024 to March 2025, highlighting its significant impact in reducing childcare costs for working families.
Since its launch in September 2024, the scheme, combined with Tax-Free Childcare (TFC), has supported over 16,000 children and saved parents approximately £8 million. The data shows that the average monthly childcare cost for registered families, after both NICSS (15% saving) and TFC (additional 20% reduction) are applied, is just under £400 for part-time care, and approximately £739 for full-time daycare (reduced from £1,054).
The report indicates that only 2.3% of children consistently exceeded the NICSS subsidy cap of £167 per month during the September 2024 to March 2025 period, meaning the vast majority received the full 15% reduction. Acknowledging rising childcare costs, including increased National Insurance Contributions and National Living/Minimum Wages for employers, Minister Givan confirmed that the NICSS subsidy cap was raised to £184 per month per child in April 2025.
Furthermore, Minister Givan has secured Executive agreement to extend the scheme's support to school-age children from September 1, 2025. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting families with childcare costs, stating that the data will inform future decisions on the scheme’s operation and funding. Parents and providers not yet registered are encouraged to sign up to benefit from this "pivotal support." Information on how parents of school-age children can register will be made available in the coming weeks. The NICSS is delivered through registered childcare providers, including daycares, playgroups, childminders, and Approved Home Childcarers.
The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) Administrative Data from September 2024 to March 2025 can be viewed here - www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/northern-ireland-childcare-subsidy-scheme-nicss-administrative-data-september-2024-march-2025
Since its launch in September 2024, the scheme, combined with Tax-Free Childcare (TFC), has supported over 16,000 children and saved parents approximately £8 million. The data shows that the average monthly childcare cost for registered families, after both NICSS (15% saving) and TFC (additional 20% reduction) are applied, is just under £400 for part-time care, and approximately £739 for full-time daycare (reduced from £1,054).
The report indicates that only 2.3% of children consistently exceeded the NICSS subsidy cap of £167 per month during the September 2024 to March 2025 period, meaning the vast majority received the full 15% reduction. Acknowledging rising childcare costs, including increased National Insurance Contributions and National Living/Minimum Wages for employers, Minister Givan confirmed that the NICSS subsidy cap was raised to £184 per month per child in April 2025.
Furthermore, Minister Givan has secured Executive agreement to extend the scheme's support to school-age children from September 1, 2025. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting families with childcare costs, stating that the data will inform future decisions on the scheme’s operation and funding. Parents and providers not yet registered are encouraged to sign up to benefit from this "pivotal support." Information on how parents of school-age children can register will be made available in the coming weeks. The NICSS is delivered through registered childcare providers, including daycares, playgroups, childminders, and Approved Home Childcarers.
The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) Administrative Data from September 2024 to March 2025 can be viewed here - www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/northern-ireland-childcare-subsidy-scheme-nicss-administrative-data-september-2024-march-2025
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