Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS)
The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) will continue into 2025/26. The NICSS subsidy cap, which is the maximum amount that can be claimed per child, has also been increased to reflect the anticipated rise in childcare fees from April 2025 while the administrative payment paid to providers delivering the scheme has also been raised.
Read more here (at education-ni.gov.uk)
The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS)
The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) was first introduced in September 2024 and provides a 15% subsidy on childcare costs to support working parents with children who have not yet started primary school.
It is delivered by registered childcare providers participating in the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme, including daycares, playgroups, childminders, and Approved Home Childcares.
The overarching aim of this scheme is to help working parents with the affordability of childcare costs.
The Executive has agreed that the subsidy scheme will target working parents who :-
- are eligible for Tax Free Childcare (TFC)
and
- have children who have not yet started primary school.
Early Years - the organisation for young children, has been appointed to administer the scheme on behalf of the Department of Education.
Details on the scheme including guidance to support Childcare Providers' registration is available on the Early Years website
Advice for Childcare Providers :-
www.early-years.org/nicss/provider
Advice for Parents and Registering Your Child :-
https://www.early-years.org/nicss/parents
Advice For Parents From Employers For Childcare :-
Parents must be claiming Tax-Free Childcare to receive the new Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy, but many parents in Northern Ireland use a form of support other than Tax-Free Childcare (eg Universal Credit, Tax Credits or Childcare Vouchers) to help with their childcare costs.
Employers For Childcare would encourage parents to contact them before they make any decisions about moving from their existing form of support to join Tax-Free Childcare, as this may or may not be the best option for your family.
Telephone 028 9267 8200 or email hello@employersforchildcare.org for a personalised ‘better off’ calculation to find out what is best for your family.
Early Learning and Childcare Measures to be implemented in 2024/25.
Some of the measures proposed are currently under development with operational details yet to be confirmed. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been published to provide answers to common questions about the package of measures.
These FAQs will be updated and augmented on an ongoing basis so please check www.education-ni.gov.uk frequently for the latest information.
FAQs Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy (at education-ni.gov.uk)
