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Pre-school education places

The Pre-School Education Programme funds education for children in the year before they start primary school. Pre-school education is available to every child but it's not essential. If you want your child to have pre-school education, you need to apply for a place.

Children eligible for pre-school education places

Children born between 2 July 2019 and 1 July 2020 (target age) are eligible to apply for a funded pre-school education place starting in September 2023.

Deferral for younger children

A new law will allow the parents or guardians of younger children in the year group to defer the start of pre-school and in turn primary school for their child by one year. All parents who have applied for a funded pre-school or primary school place for September 2023 will be contacted with more information about this change.

You can find more information about this at: Deferral of Pre-School or Primary school places 

When and how to apply for a pre-school education place

The pre-school online portal opens at 12 noon on 10 January 2023.

The online application procedure for pre-school admissions is available on the Education Authority website.

All applications submitted on or before 12.00 noon on 27 January 2023 were treated as ‘punctual’. Places are not awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.

For further information on the application procedure go to the Education Authority website

Where pre-school education places are provided

Funded pre-school education places are provided in:

  • nursery schools
  • primary schools with nursery units
  • voluntary and private pre-school education settings with government-funded places

All pre-school education settings follow the same Curricular Guidance for Pre-school Education.  Read the guidance at the link below. 

  • Curricular Guidance for Pre-school Education

The Education and Training Inspectorate inspects every pre-school setting. 

  • Inspection reports

Funded pre-school education places

All pre-school places available under the Pre-School Education Programme are funded by the government.  Parents don't pay for these places. 

Admissions criteria for pre-school settings

You should check the admissions criteria for each pre-school education setting that you are considering for your child. In your child’s application, it’s important to show how your child meets the admissions criteria for each pre-school setting.

The admissions criteria for all pre-school settings can be found at:

  • Pre-school admissions guide

When will I know the outcome of my pre-school application

Visit the Education Authority website to find out more information.

More information about pre-school places

If you need more information about applying for a pre-school education place, contact:

  • Admissions helpdesk

More useful links

  • Give your child a helping hand
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Pre-school development and learning

  • Deferral of Pre-School or Primary school places
  • Give your child a helping hand
  • Playgroups and crèches
  • Pre-school education places
  • Special educational needs in children under five
  • Sure Start Services
  • Types of childcare

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