APG on Early Education and Childcare - 01/10/2025
The All Party Group on Early Education and Childcare met on Wednesday 1st October chaired by Cathy Mason MLA.
Cathy gave a summary of recent developments including the publication of findings from the independent Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Curriculum; a £6.6 million investment package for the Pathway Fund, the highest to date which includes a new funding stream for Approved Home Childcarers; and the extension of the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme to school age children.
The Department of Education advised that the Education Minister has committed to bringing forward a draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy to Executive colleagues in the coming weeks with the aim of securing agreement for issue to public consultation.
Marc Bailie from the Department of Health gave an update on the high rate of responses to the consultation on Minimum Standards which the Department is working through.
Dr Glenda Walsh, Head of Early Years Education and Doctoral Studies at Stranmillis University College provided a detailed presentation on the interim report on a 'Comparative analysis of early years workforce policy in the four UK nations.' Jenny Adair, Childcare Partnership Manager at the Department of Health, gave an insightful presentation on ‘Findings from the Northern Ireland Qualification Audit - Registered Group-Based Childcare.’ Both presentations highlighted the value of the early years workforce and the need to ensure it is sufficiently recognised and further developed.
This was followed by questions and discussion.
The next All Party Group meeting is scheduled to be an in-person event on Tuesday 25th November in Parliament Buildings.
For further information contact APG@early-years.org