Northern Ireland Expands Pre-School Education with 2,500 Additional Full-Time Places

In a significant development for early childhood education, Northern Ireland is set to offer over 2,500 additional full-time pre-school education places starting September 2025.

 

This expansion is part of the Pre-School Standardisation Programme, aiming to provide all children aged 3-4 with at least 22.5 hours of pre-school education per week.

 

Currently, approximately 60% of children receive 12.5 hours weekly, while the remaining 40% benefit from 22.5 hours.

 

The initiative will see 105 pre-school settings across various council areas and management types transition from part-time to full-time sessions.

 

Education Minister Paul Givan emphasized the positive impact of extended pre-school hours on children's social and emotional development.

 

He stated, "Providing this additional time in the day will allow the children to benefit from the rich play-based learning environment of the pre-school setting, allow pre-school staff more time to interact with and support young learners, and also provide access to a funded school meal for eligible children."

 

One of the first institutions to successfully complete this transition is Drumadonnell Primary School Nursery Unit in Banbridge.

 

Principal Lynn Wilson expressed enthusiasm about the change, noting that extending nursery hours will enhance the educational experience for young learners and offer greater flexibility for working families.

 

The Department of Education has committed £80 million over the past two financial years to support early learning and childcare services.

 

This funding underscores the value placed on early years education in Northern Ireland and aligns with the Programme for Government's priority of providing more affordable, accessible, high-quality early learning and childcare.

 

Looking ahead, plans are underway to transition an additional 2,200 pre-school places across approximately 100 settings to full-time provision from September 2026.

 

A consultation on the next cohort of 33 settings under consideration for implementation of the programme is open until Friday, October 24, 2025.

 

Further consultations on additional settings will follow in the coming weeks.

 

For parents and guardians, this expansion means increased access to quality pre-school education, which is crucial for early childhood development.

 

It also offers working families more flexibility and support in managing childcare needs.

 

As Northern Ireland continues to invest in its youngest citizens, the future looks promising for both children and their families.

 

For more information on the Pre-School Standardisation Programme and a list of participating pre-schools, visit the Department of Education's official website.