Women’s Policy Group NI Warns Childcare Strategy Risks Deepening Inequality

24 March 2026 – The WRDA led Women’s Policy Group NI (WPG) has welcomed the publication of the Department of Education’s draft Early Learning & Childcare Strategy, but warns that the proposals fall far short of what is needed to deliver affordable, accessible and high‑quality childcare.

The Strategy lacks detailed costings, relies heavily on an ineffective subsidy scheme, and risks removing protections for disadvantaged children before universal early years provision is in place.

Key concerns include:

• Plans to remove the social disadvantage criteria, which will hit children from low income households hardest.

• Continued reliance on the NI Childcare Subsidy Scheme, which has driven up childcare prices without capping fees.

• The absence of plans to expand the Women’s Centre Childcare Fund (WCCF), despite its proven success supporting mothers and children in disadvantaged communities.

• Lack of investment in the childcare workforce, risking further staff shortages and instability.

The WPG calls for a community‑based childcare model, expansion of WCCF, supply‑side funding tied to cost controls, and inclusion of universal free school meals.

Elaine Crory, Women’s Sector Lobbyist, concluded with:

“We reiterate our argument that the approach taken by the Strategy as outlined will not achieve the outcomes that we need. Instead we propose an alternative model.”

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-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:
Elaine Crory, Women’s Sector Lobbyist, WRDA – elaine.crory@wrda.net
Meghan Hoyt, Policy Assistant, WRDA – meghan.hoyt@wrda.net‍ ‍