Skip to content

Photograph of a young Boy with a Hoop Photograph of a young Child with her Father Photograph of a young Girl Photograph of a young Girl wrapped in material Photograph of a baby with his Father Photograph of a young Girl covered in Ribbons Photograph of a young Boy with his Mother Photograph of a young Girl with her Mother Photograph of a Mother with her two children Photograph of a Baby with its Mother and Father Photograph of a young Boy with his Mother Photograph of a three brothers Photograph of a Grandfather with his Grandson Photograph of a young Girl blowing Bubbles Photograph of a Mother with her Baby Girl Photograph of a young Boy

Day Care/Nursery

Day Care facilities provide an alternative home environment for children from six weeks to school age and some include care for children after school hours.

Opening hours can be from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm. Parents have to pay for their child's place, however through the Government's Pre-school Education Expansion Programme, a number of free part-time places are available for children aged 3-4 years. Some families may be able to access Family Tax Credit which provides support towards day care fees. Contact Inland Revenue for further details.

All full Day Care facilities must be registered with their local Health and Social Services Trust who will carry out an annual inspection to check that the registration requirements are maintained. These reports should be available for parents to read. Staff are required to have both health and police checks carried out by Social Services and they are registered in line with the requirements of the Children (NI) Order 1995.

Managers must have a relevant qualification, which is recognised by their local Social Services Trust. 50% of Day Care staff must be qualified.

Bronze Steps to Excellence Logo
photograph of two boys photograph of two year old boy drawing photograph of a mother and daughter photograph of a baby girl