1st October 2026
More children to benefit from Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme
Education Minister Paul Givan recently announced a change to the eligibility criteria for the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) that will ensure summer-born children can continue to receive childcare support throughout P7.
This change is necessary is due to the difference in the age most children enter secondary school in GB compared to NI.
Eligibility for NICSS is based on the eligibility criteria for the UK wide Tax-Free Childcare. Under standard TFC rules, the support stops on 1st September following a child’s 11th birthday, this aligns with a child’s transition into secondary school in GB.
The change will benefit parents of children in Northern Ireland who turn 11 between 2 July and 31 August who currently cease to be eligible for TFC as they are entering Primary 7, and as a result, lose eligibility to NICSS as well, despite remaining in the same school year as their younger classmates.
The change applies to financial support through the NICSS only, maintaining this for the full duration of the academic year even though the eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare has ended.
As Tax-Free Childcare is a UK wide, HMRC scheme, the Northern Ireland Education Minister does not have the power to alter or extend the TFC rules.
The NICSS is administered by Early Years, their information and application guidance will be updated as measures are put in place to ensure eligible families receive the support to which they are entitled, including backdated NICSS payments where appropriate. Guidance will be issued to childcare providers and parents ahead of the changes taking effect, and will be available at www.early-years.org/nicss
Please note, there is no change if a child is disabled and in receipt of DLA or PIP, for these children eligibility for NICSS and TFC runs until 1st September following their 16th birthday.
There is an NI Childcare Subsidy Scheme information factsheet available on our website, www.employersforchildcare.org/information-factsheets/ this will be updated in due course, as more information becomes available.
For further personalised information on how this change may affect your household, and to check if the NICSS and TFC are the best form of childcare support in your particular circumstances contact the Family Benefits Advice Service fbas@employersforchildcare.org