Consultation Workshop on Draft Early Learning & Childcare Strategy

Are you a school-age childcare provider or the parent of a school-age child? Have your say on the future of school-age childcare in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Education is currently consulting on the Draft Early Learning & Childcare Strategy - the NI Executive’s long-term plan to deliver more affordable, accessible and high-quality childcare.

This consultation is a critical opportunity to influence decisions that will shape childcare policy, funding and support for the immediate and long-term future.

School-age childcare plays a vital role in supporting children, families, and communities across Northern Ireland. However, the sector has long been under-recognised and under-resourced. Without clear recognition in the final strategy, there is a real risk that the needs of school-age children, and the providers who support them, will continue to be overlooked.

This is your opportunity the make sure that school-age childcare is clearly recognised, valued and adequately resourced.

Your voice matters. Now is the time to use it.

PlayBoard is hosting a series of four consultation workshops, dedicated specifically to school-age childcare provision. These sessions will:

• Break down what the draft strategy really means for the SAC sector
• Highlight gaps, risks and opportunities for school-age provision
• Create space to collectively explore practical, realistic outcomes aligned with the proposed policy direction
• Support participants to develop informed, confident responses to the consultation
• Help key stakeholders better understand the priorities and lived realities of the SAC sector.

We will be inviting local representatives and MLAs to join the consultation sessions to hear directly from YOU the sector and users of school-age childcare services.

We strongly urge anyone who works in, uses, or has an interest in school-age childcare to attend, speak up, and help shape a future where the sector - and the children it supports - are recognised and prioritised as key components of the childcare infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

Registration opens at 9:30am with tea and coffee, with the consultation running until 12 noon.

Due to expected high demand and limited places, we would respectfully ask that you let us know if you are no longer able to attend.

If you require further information, please contact katherine.lindsay@playboard.co.uk