Education Minister Paul Givan has revealed that 77 pre-school settings across Northern Ireland will transition from part-time to full-time hours, a move aimed at expanding access to funded pre-school education.
Earlier this year, the Minister committed to providing all 3-4-year-old children with 22.5 hours of funded pre-school education per week. Currently, 60% of children receive 12.5 hours, while 40% benefit from the full 22.5 hours.
Speaking during a visit to Brooklands Primary School Nursery Unit, Givan said, “In May, I announced the largest expansion of pre-school provision in over 25 years, and today we are making significant progress towards our goal of providing every child with a full-time pre-school place.”
The Minister outlined that, by September 2025, an additional 2,200 children will have access to full-time, funded pre-school education, as part of a broader plan to transition 100 pre-school settings to full-time provision.
“I have carefully considered the requests from pre-school settings and feedback from the public consultation,” Givan continued. “Today, I am approving the first 77 settings to move to full-time hours, ensuring that more children will receive the best possible start to their education.”
He added that further announcements would be made in the coming weeks, with the aim of ensuring all council areas and types of pre-school management are included in the full-time expansion.
The 77 settings transitioning to full-time provision include facilities across North, East, and South Antrim, which will offer 22.5 hours of funded pre-school education starting from September 2025.
The full list of the 77 pre-school settings can be found on the Department’s website.
This move is part of a £25 million investment in early learning and childcare for the 2024/25 academic year, which aims to support children, parents, and providers in accessing quality education.
Settings in North Antrim:
Ballee Pre School Playgroup, Ballymena
Buick Memorial Primary School, Ballymena
Gracehill and Galgorm Community Playgroup, Ballymena
Armoy Cross Community Playgroup, Ballymoney
Kilmoyle Primary School, Ballymoney
Settings in East Antrim:
Acorn Integrated Primary School, Carrickfergus
Corran Integrated Primary School, Larne
Hollybank Pre-School Playgroup, Monkstown
Sunnylands Nursery School, Carrickfergus
Settings in South Antrim:
ABC Day Nursery – Sleepy Hollow, Aldergrove
Ballymacward Pre School Playgroup, Lisburn
Crumlin Integrated Pre School Playgroup
Greendale Day Nursery Playgroup, Newtownabbey
Mossley Nursery School, Newtownabbey
St Joseph’s Nursery School, Antrim
This expansion is part of a broader initiative to enhance early childhood education and care across Northern Ireland.
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