AQW 40912/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the regulation of childcare providers, since he took up office.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 18 February 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 18 February 2026
- Answer due by
- 5 March 2026
- Answered
- 5 March 202615 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 HSC Trusts have responsibility for the registration and annual inspection of childcare providers. To ensure a regional approach and a consistent level of quality, my department developed and published the Minimum Standards for Childminding and Day Care for Children Under 12 in 2012.
The department is currently carrying out a comprehensive review of the Minimum Standards, which began in 2025 with a public consultation on two key issues for the sector: adult to child ratios and the requirement for all prospective childcare workers to provide a health declaration countersigned by their GP before taking up employment.
Analysis of the 495 responses received from a wide range of stakeholders has now been completed, and I will be publishing the department’s response in the coming weeks in advance of my officials carrying out the wider review of the Standards.