To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) when the childcare strategy will be published; and (ii) the reason for its delay.

It is my intention to have a draft Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Strategy ready for Executive consideration and public consultation in 2025.

As agreed with Executive colleagues in May 2024, implementing the package of ELC measures in 2024/25 has been given priority over the past 6 months. Work on requirements for 2025/26 and the longer-term strategy has now recommenced.

The development of the strategy will be informed by evaluation of the measures being implemented in 2024/25 and new data emerging, including from a NISRA parental survey I have commissioned, the results of which will be available by April 2025. Further stakeholder engagement is also planned on key issues such as workforce challenges and accessibility of provision.

Given the level of investment likely to be required and sector workforce capacity constraints, it will take a number of years to deliver on all the commitments in the Strategy, once agreed. The scale and pace of implementation will largely depend on the budget made available by the Executive.