To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on the delivery of support for childcare providers.

My Department is actively developing a specialised business support service for childcare providers. Officials are developing the service specification and undertaking extensive engagement with stakeholders from both within and outside government. This collaborative approach is vital to ensure the Childcare Business Support Service is tailored to reflect the sector’s diversity and to address providers’ needs effectively. Stakeholder input will help design a model that is fit for purpose and supports sustainable growth.

Alongside this, childcare providers continue to benefit from ApprenticeshipsNI and Higher Level Apprenticeships. These programmes fully cover training costs for occupational qualifications for staff working in the sector. Employers are eligible for incentive payments when an apprentice successfully completes all elements of a Level 2 or Level 3 framework, payable on completion at each level.

Childcare providers may also be eligible for business support from Go Succeed, the council led business support service and Invest NI.