For many families across Northern Ireland, finding affordable school-age childcare has become an increasingly difficult balancing act. Parents and carers need reliable, accessible and affordable childcare that allows them to work, undertake education or training, and manage family life. However, the rising cost of living means that the price of childcare can have a significant influence on the choices available to them.
High-quality, registered school-age childcare provides children with opportunities to play, socialise, build friendships, develop new skills and enjoy a safe, supportive environment outside school hours. Registered settings operate within a regulatory framework, with requirements relating to safeguarding, staffing, suitability of the environment and the quality of care provided. However, meeting these requirements brings significant costs for providers, including staffing, training, premises, insurance and regulatory compliance. These costs inevitably influence the fees charged to parents.
In contrast, some school-based wraparound and other unregistered provision may be available at a lower cost. While these services can offer valuable support to families, the arrangements under which they operate may differ from those of registered school-age childcare settings. Depending on the provision, they may not be subject to the same registration requirements, minimum standards or regulatory oversight. Consequently, parents may be comparing services that differ in their operating costs, accountability and the safeguards and quality assurance arrangements in place.
This creates an inequality not only for families seeking affordable, high-quality childcare, but also for registered providers who must meet the costs of operating within an established regulatory framework.
When the cost of living forces families to prioritise price over choice, access to high-quality childcare risks becoming dependent on a family’s financial circumstances. Parents may prefer a registered school-age childcare setting but feel unable to afford the fees. Instead, they may have to choose a cheaper alternative, not necessarily because it best meets their child’s needs, but because it is the only financially realistic option.
This is not a criticism of individual schools or providers offering wraparound care. Many make an important contribution to supporting children and families. Rather, it highlights wider structural and policy issues: the affordability of childcare, the regulatory framework governing different types of provision, and the level of support available to families must be considered together.
The implications extend beyond the immediate cost of childcare. School-age children need more than supervision before and after the school day. They need opportunities for freely chosen play, positive relationships with adults, social interaction, inclusion and experiences that support their development and wellbeing. High-quality school-age childcare recognises that childhood does not end when the school bell rings. It provides a distinct environment in which children can relax, make choices, develop independence and enjoy their right to play.
For children with additional needs, disabilities or other support requirements, the choice can be even more limited. Families may need a setting with appropriately trained staff, inclusive play opportunities and the capacity to provide individualised support. Where affordable, suitable provision is unavailable, parents may face additional pressure when balancing employment, family responsibilities and their child’s needs.
There are also wider economic consequences. Accessible and affordable childcare enables parents and carers to remain in employment, pursue training and education, and contribute to the local economy. When childcare costs become prohibitive, some parents may have to reduce their working hours, turn down employment opportunities or leave work altogether. The impact is therefore felt not only by individual families and children, but also by employers, communities and the wider economy.
Affordability and quality should not be competing priorities. Families should not have to choose between a service they can afford and one that provides the regulatory safeguards, quality of care and play opportunities their children deserve.
The growth of unregistered provision operating outside the same regulatory framework is placing increasing pressure on registered school-age childcare and presents a significant threat to the long-term viability of the sector. Without urgent action to address disparities in regulation, funding and operating requirements, we risk losing established, high-quality childcare services, reducing choice for families and weakening the infrastructure that supports children, parents and communities across Northern Ireland.
Addressing this inequality requires sustained investment in school-age childcare, alongside clear and consistent information for parents about the differences between registered and unregistered provision. Families need to understand the arrangements under which a service operates, what safeguards apply and what financial support may be available. Equally, providers need funding arrangements that recognise the true cost of delivering high-quality, inclusive and sustainable childcare. There must also be greater recognition of the disparity in regulatory and operating requirements across different forms of provision, ensuring that policy and funding decisions do not inadvertently disadvantage registered providers.
PlayBoard NI continues to advocate for the recognition of school-age childcare as an essential part of the wider childcare system. School-age children have their own developmental needs, and the services that support them should be valued, resourced and developed accordingly.
As Northern Ireland considers the future of childcare provision, affordability must be addressed without compromising children’s rights, safety, wellbeing or opportunities to play. Every child deserves access to high-quality experiences beyond the school day, regardless of their family’s income.
A family’s financial circumstances should not determine the quality of childcare available to their child.
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