Currently, the scheme supports families with children below school age. The expansion could increase the number of beneficiaries from 15,000 to around 24,000.

From September 2025, working parents with school-age children will be eligible for a 15% discount on childcare bills, capped at £184 per child, per month. Combined with tax-free childcare, this could offer savings of up to 32%. The subsidy is delivered through registered childcare providers, with the discount passed directly to parents.

Minister Givan stated the measure aims to help families manage the high costs of childcare, which often influence employment decisions. Many parents reduce working hours or leave their jobs due to unaffordable childcare.

Parents like Sandra McLean and Cara Poole welcomed the announcement. McLean, a single mother, relied on childminders to stay employed and called current costs “scandalous.” Poole highlighted her dependence on grandparents for support and described the announcement as “fantastic.”

Childcare providers also support the expansion. Diane Koplewsky of the Sleepy Hollow Group said the administrative burden is outweighed by the benefits to working parents.

While the move has been widely praised, campaigner Rebecca Harper from Melted Parents NI urged further reform. She called the expansion a step in the right direction but stressed that more radical investment is needed to make childcare truly affordable.

Minister Givan also pledged further developments in early years services and plans to expand preschool education. A full childcare strategy is still in progress, with a proposal expected by autumn.