The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme supported 27,486 children from 20,210 households in 2025/26, according to Department of Education administrative data.
The department said £18.4m was paid directly to families through the scheme. It estimated that combined savings from the subsidy and Tax-Free Childcare totalled £38.6m.
Eligible working families could receive up to £184 a month for each child during the year.
The scheme was extended to cover school-age childcare in September 2025.