Advice for Parents/Carers

Eligibility, Registration and Re-confirmation Guidance

Register for NICSS Parent Information Sessions

Parent/Carer Eligibility

Any working parent or carer receiving Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) is eligible to participate in the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS), as long as their childcare provider is also signed up.

If you are not registered for TFC but would like to learn more about the scheme, please click here .

Benefits

NICSS can make childcare more affordable and give your family greater choice and flexibility.

Reduce your childcare fees

Eligible working parents and carers can receive a 15% reduction in childcare fees, up to £203 per child, per month.

Greater choice and flexibility

The subsidy could help you select a participating childcare provider based on quality and suitability rather than cost alone.

Access additional childcare

Reduced childcare costs could help you afford additional childcare or wraparound hours that meet your family’s needs.

Support your working life

More affordable childcare could help you return to work, increase your working hours, strengthen your household income and reduce the financial pressure of balancing work and family life.

Please note: Parents and carers must meet the Tax-Free Childcare eligibility requirements, and their childcare provider must also participate in NICSS.

Parent/Carer Registration

Before registering your child for NICSS, please read the following information and make sure you have the required details and documents available.

Step 1

Check that you are eligible

You must be receiving Tax-Free Childcare, and your childcare provider must be registered and offering NICSS.

Step 2

Find your child’s Tax-Free Childcare payment reference

You will normally find this reference in correspondence from HMRC. If you cannot find a payment reference or are unsure whether you have one, please read the Parent/Carer FAQs for further guidance.

Step 3

Save your latest Tax-Free Childcare confirmation

Take a screenshot or download a copy that clearly shows your child’s name and the quarterly expiry date. If your renewal is being processed, use your most recent confirmation.

Step 4

Create and activate your NICSS parent account

Enter your details on the NICSS portal, then follow the activation link sent to your email address to set your password.

Step 5

Register your child

Sign in to the portal, complete the child registration form and upload your Tax-Free Childcare confirmation. Repeat this process for each eligible child and for each childcare provider they attend.

Ready to begin? Click here to register your child on the NICSS Parent/Carer Portal

Parent/Carer registration walkthrough

Watch this video for guidance on completing the NICSS parent and carer registration process.

Keeping your child’s eligibility up to date

Reconfirm your Tax-Free Childcare details

NICSS eligibility is linked to Tax-Free Childcare, so you must keep your child’s eligibility up to date to continue receiving the discount.

Update your child’s eligibility

When prompted by NICSS, log in to the Parent/Guardian Portal and update your child’s eligibility.

Look out for email reminders

Don’t worry, when the time comes to reconfirm, we will email you several reminders to make sure you have plenty of notice.

Upload your latest confirmation

Upload the latest Tax-Free Childcare confirmation showing your child’s name and their new quarterly expiry date.

Important: Completing this promptly will help prevent any interruption to your subsidy.

Updating your child’s eligibility

Watch this video for guidance on updating your child’s eligibility through the NICSS Parent/Guardian Portal.

Parent/Carer FAQs

Our FAQ page provides answers to common questions parents and carers ask us about the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme. The FAQs will be updated on an ongoing basis, so please check back for the latest information.

Parent/Carer FAQs

Contact us

If you have any further queries before registering your child, please contact the team at Early Years using the details below.

Email

Email the NICSS Team if you need help before registering your child.

nicssparent@early-years.org

Telephone

Call the NICSS Team using the number below.

tel:+44 (0)28 90 662825 Select option 3