Early Years is responsible for the registration and inspection of all childminding and day care services in Belfast for children up to the age of 12. We maintain a register of all Early Years facilities in the Trust area – this is a public document, available on request from the Early Years Team.
We also provide information to parents about the range of childminding and daycare services available in Belfast and offer training for childminders and day care providers.
Applying to become a Day Care Provider
You can now apply online to become an early years day care provider in the Belfast Trust area. Please note, however, there will be some documentation that will require your signature and will need to be presented in person at an Early Years office.
Before registering, please read the appropriate guidance document:
- Registration Process for Prospective Childminders – Guidance Document
- Registration Process for Prospective Sessional and Full Day Care Providers – Guidance Document
- Registration Process for Prospective Homecarer – Guidance Document
For further information and assistance with registration, please contact our Early Years Team (details below).
If you are interested in registering as a Childminder, you will also be given information on Pre-registration Briefing Sessions.
Go to the Day Care Registration page.
How to contact the Service
The Early Years Team previously based at Glenvilla has moved to a new location. The Team can be contacted at their new office:
Early Years Team
Everton Complex
585-587 Crumlin Road
BELFAST
BT14 7GB.
Tel: (028) 950 42811
Fax: (028) 9060 2968
By email: earlyyears@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Concerned about the welfare of a child?
If you are concerned about any children who are in the care of a childminder or a day care provider you can seek advice from or make a complaint to the Early Years team or speak to the safeguarding social workers at the Gateway service.
Family Support NI
If you are looking for more information about our Early Years Services, or a range of other services available to support families, then go to the Family Support NI website.
This site provides information from statutory, voluntary and community organisations and will help Families, Young People, Children and Practitioners in Northern Ireland to find local services to meet their needs.