Debate contribution: School-age Childcare

Debate contribution by Ms Sian Mulholland on 27 April 2026.

MLA: Ms Sian Mulholland
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 27 April 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: School-age Childcare
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5508492

Text

I thank the Minister for his answer. As he said, there is a real fear among registered school-age childcare providers that the draft strategy simply places greater emphasis on non-health and social care trust-registered provision in school estates. Settings such as Loughgiel Community Early Years in my constituency have been in touch with the Department to express their concern about that. Minister, how will you ensure that quality, staffing ratios, workforce qualifications and meaningful play opportunities are protected and not diluted in the new strategy, while acknowledging the work of non-statutory providers?

92 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 3470/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

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