To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) any assessments made of childcare availability in rural areas; and (ii) how findings have been factored into the development of a childcare strategy.

In 2023, my department commissioned RSM Consultancy to conduct a review of childcare services. The review sought to provide a current, comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of the childcare sector in Northern Ireland, including an analysis of supply and demand for childcare provision and identification of gaps in provision by geographical area, including specific consideration of rural areas. The report is available at: RSM (2023) DE Review of Childcare Services in NI - Final Report.PDF.

In 2024/25, my department commissioned the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency to carry out the Northern Ireland Childcare Survey. The first release of Official Statistics on the Childcare Survey were published on 8 May 2025. The publication presents insights on a range of issues including the type and amount of childcare used; childcare costs; summer holiday childcare arrangements; and factors influencing parental childcare choices, including affordability, quality of care, and proximity. The survey’s findings can be accessed at: Childcare Survey | Department of Education.

The findings from these reports, including the issues raised regarding availability of childcare in rural areas, have been used to inform the development of the Early Learning and Childcare Strategy which I will bring forward to the Executive in the coming weeks.