Northern Ireland Qualification Audit - Registered Group Based Childcare (July 2025)
SPPG Community Care staff have released a comprehensive qualification audit within registered group based childcare settings in Northern Ireland.
The findings and recommendations are designed to provide baseline workforce data, highlight areas for improvement in data collection, facilitate access to and enhancement of continuous professional learning and development pathways.
It was commissioned by the Department of Health to inform the development of government policy in particular the pending review of the Minimum Standards for Childminding and Daycare for Children Under the Age of 12 Years and, the development of the new Northern Ireland Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.
The process was led by Jenny Adair and Mairead McMullen, Childcare Partnership leads within the Community Care Directorate with the support of a range of key stakeholders.
At the time of the audit there were 1127 registered group-based childcare settings listed on the FSNI Public Register. 721 groups (64%) responded to the Qualification Audit.
