How to Register as a Childcare Provider

cartoon boy playing with a kite in front of a house

Are you interested in becoming a registered childminder, approved home childcarer or setting up a Day Nursery, Creche, Out of School, Playgroup or Holiday Scheme?

Contact your Early Years Team

If you are looking after children for more than 2 hours per day, for reward, The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 requires you to register with your local Health and Social Care Trust, Early Years Team. Registration is a legal requirement. It is an offence if a childcare provider is required to register and doesn't.

Some supervised activities, e.g. uniformed organisations such as Girls/Boys Brigade, are not required to be registered, but if you are in doubt, you should seek advice from the Early Years Team.

Early Years Teams are teams of social workers and admin staff based within each of the Health & Social Care Trust areas.

Contact your local Early Years Team for guidance or to register your interest: Find my local Early Years Team.

Finding Registered and Approved Childcare

Family Support NI list all childcare providers that are Registered and Approved with Health & Social Services in Northern Ireland.

You may want to check what childcare is already available in your area if you are thinking of setting up a childcare business.

Use our Postcode Search to find Registered and Approved Childcare in your area.

Registered Childcare Helps Parents

Help with Childcare Costs:

If parents are entitled to financial support to help pay towards their childcare costs, they can only claim these benefits by using Registered or Approved Childcare.

Peace of mind:

Parents know that as a registered childcare provider, you are vetted, registered, insured and inspected, and that you adhere to the 'minimum standards' that have been set in place.