Supporting Families using Tax Free Childcare
The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) is a Department of Education initiative designed to reduce the childcare costs of eligible working parents by 15% for all qualifying children. The overarching aim of this scheme is to help working parents with the affordability of childcare costs.
The Northern Ireland 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. The Minister for Education has announced that the scheme will continue from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026, meaning that any parent receiving TFC, for a child who has not yet enrolled in primary school will be eligible to participate in the scheme, provided their childcare provider is signed up with HMRC as a TFC provider.
From 1st September 2025, working parents of school age children (4+ to 11) can now receive the 15% subsidy, up to the capped amount (£184), on their childcare bills.
Early Years - the organisation for young children, has been appointed to administer the scheme on behalf of the Department of Education.
To find out more about the scheme, please select the relevant image below;
Advice for Providers
Advice for parents
