This article focuses on publicly funded, part-time pre-school provision for children aged three to four. It also covers publicly funded provision for disadvantaged two- to three-year-olds. Provision is available for children below these ages but is paid for by parents themselves.

This phase of education is not compulsory.

Place guarantee to ECEC

Publicly funded pre-school education for children aged three to four is provided in grant-aidednursery schools, nursery classes or units in primary schools, and in a wide range of voluntary and private settings (e.g. day nurseries and playgroups). These providers are funded by the Department of Education (DE) under the Pre-school Education Programme, which was introduced as the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme in 1998/99 with the aim of increasing the availability of pre-school places.

Although the Government has committed to offering a publicly funded, part-time pre-school place to the parents of all three- to four-year-olds who want one, there is no such commitment for children under the age of three. However, publicly funded programmes are available for the most disadvantaged two- to three-year-olds to help them to prepare for pre-school (see ‘Sure Start services’ below). In addition, if Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP) places are available once demand amongst three- to four-year-olds has been met, they may be offered to those under three. Many parents of children under the age of three who require childcare pay for provision offered by privately-run day nurseries, voluntary pre-schools, childminders or nannies.

Unlike the compulsory school system, which is organised along denominational lines in Northern Ireland, pre-school education in all settings is accessible to children from all backgrounds.

Sure Start Developmental Programme for two- to three-year-olds

In addition, Sure Start Services include a programme to help the most disadvantaged two- to- three-year-olds to prepare for pre-school. This includes weekly play sessions at local Sure Start centres and home visits during the year to discuss children’s progress. The programme aims to help children’s emotional and social development, improve their communication and language skills, and encourage their imagination through play.

Affordability

Under the Pre-school Education Programme (PSEP), introduced as the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme in 1998/99, the Government aims to offer all children aged 3 to 4 whose parents want it, part-time pre-school provision for 38 weeks during the period September to June, 5 days each week (Monday to Friday) and for at least 2.5  hours each day. These places are available in a range of settings including in grant-aided nursery schools; in nursery classes and units in grant-aided primary schools; and in voluntary and privately-run playgroups. A limited number of places for younger children (aged 2 to 3) may also be available in some settings.

Provision is available for children below these ages but is paid for by parents themselves.

The Education Authority (EA) is responsible for securing sufficient pre-school places, in line with the Education (Northern Ireland) Act 2014. It does this through the Education Authority Pre-School Education Group (EA PEG), which undertakes an annual review of provision at local level in order to ensure that the planning and allocation of pre-school places meets the needs of each area.

Legal framework

A key piece of legislation governing pre-school education in Northern Ireland is the Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014. This established the Education Authority (EA) in April 2015, which became responsible and accountable for all pre-school education and learning services funded by the Government, including the planning of places and the coordination of pre-school admissions.

Another key piece of legislation is the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1998. Section 22 of the Order defines the length of a full-time pre-school place as at least four- and a-half hours a day, and a part-time place as at least two- and-a half hours a day (but less than four- and a half hours a day). The Order also sets out the responsibilities of boards of governors regarding pre-school education provided in grant-aided schools.

Section 21 of The Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 includes provisions for parents to express on a single application form, in order of preference, the schools in which they wish pre-school education to be provided for their child.

The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 sets out legal requirements regarding childminding and day care for young children. Sections 125 and 126 require authorities to set limits on the number of young children being looked after in settings, as well as on the number of children in specific age groups. Private providers and childminders must be registered and inspected annually by one of the five regional Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland.