Increased Funding For Non-Statutory Pre-School Providers

Education Minister Paul Givan has announced a significant increase in funding for part-time non-statutory pre-school education providers. This move aims to alleviate financial pressures faced by these providers due to rising costs, including increased wages and utility bills.

The funding rate per pupil will rise from £2,200 to £2,550 per year, effective from September 1st, 2024. This increase is expected to benefit approximately 6,400 children attending non-statutory pre-school settings across Northern Ireland.

The additional funding will help ensure the sustainability of non-statutory pre-school providers and support the delivery of high-quality early education for young children. Announcing the increase during a visit to Jolly Pirates Pre-School in Lisburn, the Minister said: "I recognise the valuable contribution made by early years education providers in ensuring all children get the best possible start in life. I appreciate that the current financial climate has created specific pressures for the non-statutory pre-school education sector, and I have sought to respond to these within the budget available.

"Today's announcement demonstrates my ongoing commitment to support the early years and pre-school education sectors at a time when the wider public expenditure climate is extremely challenging."

The increased funding will help to ensure that the sector is stabilised ahead of the continued roll-out of the Department's Pre-School Education Standardisation programme. The standardisation programme aims over a period of time to offer full-time (22.5 hours per week) for all 3-4 year old children as part of the development of an Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.