Have you planned your half-term childcare?
With the February school break almost upon us, for many working parents this is the first school break of 2025 that they have had to try and figure out their half term childcare plans. This can particularly be a strain for parents who use childcare provided by a school, such as breakfast and after school clubs, many of which are not available when schools are closed.
For many working parents taking a few days off work may be a luxury that they cannot afford and therefore they will have no choice but to find alternative childcare for their children during half term.
As well as the challenge of finding suitable childcare, families are faced with the additional expense of increased childcare costs during school holidays, which may include paying for childcare for older children who don’t require it during term-time.
Find out what financial support is available
There is help available with the cost of half term childcare, which can include some holiday schemes (provided they are registered childcare) as well as year-round providers such as registered childminders, out of school clubs and day nurseries. For example, parents may be able to use Universal Credit, Tax-Free Childcare or Childcare Vouchers to help pay for childcare during school holidays. Additional support is available through the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme but this is only for children below school age whose parents are using Tax-Free Childcare.
Now is a good time to make sure your family is receiving all the financial support you are entitled to, both during the school holidays and all year round.
Finding suitable childcare during school holidays
The Family Support NI website www.familysupportni.gov.uk is a useful resource for families looking for registered childcare and includes a search function for all registered childcare providers across Northern Ireland, including holiday schemes.
Further information
To find out more about what financial support you are entitled to, whether that is half term childcare or throughout the year, contact Employers For Childcare’s Family Benefits Advice Service on 028 9267 8200 or email hello@employersforchildcare.org.
