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 compulsory. 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 2016 and 1 July 2017 are eligible for free pre-school education places starting in September 2020. 

You should bring any requested supporting documents to your first preference place no later than 12 noon on Friday 7 February 2020.

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

The Pre-School online application procedure is now open.

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

All applications received on or before 12.00 pm on 30 January 2020 will be treated as 'punctual'. Places are not awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.

You should bring any requested supporting documents to your first preference place no later than 12 noon on Friday 7 February 2020.

Help and access to online applications

If you don't have access to the Internet at home, or need help with your online applications, drop-in clinics are available in local libraries throughout Northern Ireland.

Find out where and when the clinics will be at:

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. 

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

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:

More information about pre-school places

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

More useful links

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