Cautious welcome for £10.5m NI childcare support package

Announcing the Childcare Recovery Support scheme yesterday, Education Minister Peter Weir said it will “ensure as many providers as possible can open to assist parents returning to work”.

Mr Weir also said that it will allow for the continuation of the Approved Home Childcarer Scheme “aimed at enabling parents to have their childcare needs met in their own homes”.

The package of measures has been developed to cover the period from July 1 to August 31.

Mr Weir said: “Registered childcare providers offer safe and nurturing environments for children and we must do all we can to ensure these providers are supported to open and operate within current public health advice.

“My department has developed proposals to assist the childcare sector as they begin to reopen in line with Executive economic recovery planning. This includes support for registered day care and school age settings, childminders and playgroups.”

Roger D’Arcy operates six childcare facilities across Belfast and in Londonderry.

Mr D’Arcy said he was grateful for the financial assistance, particularly as many other sectors have not been so well supported, but said the true value of the measures won’t be known until next week.

“Childcare is an exceptionally expensive business to run and to provide and the providers that are open at the moment are running at a substantial loss. I am doubtful that the amount of money we get by way of this grant scheme will even come near to meet that loss,” he added.

In a Facebook post, the NI Childminding Association said: “At this stage we welcome the childcare recovery scheme that has been announced. We will comment further when we find out the detail of the scheme.”