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  • Curricular guidance

    Topics:
    • Support and development, 
    • Early years education and learning

    Curricular guidance for those working with children in their pre-school year.

    Guidance literature

    All pre-school settings, both statutory and voluntary and private settings with funded places, are expected to adhere to the ‘Curricular Guidance for Pre-School Education’. The refreshed curricular guidance for pre-school education outlines the range of learning opportunities which children of this age and stage of development should have through play and other relevant experiences. It should be used by staff to plan, review and develop the best practice in early learning and development across the six areas of learning and to promote good practice in a well-balanced play-based curriculum.

    This curricular guidance is used by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) when evaluating the quality of provision and the outcomes for learners in all pre-school settings.

    The guidance was published on the CCEA website on 5 June 2018. CCEA plans to formally launch the guidance in August 2018, when hard copies will be available.

    http://ccea.org.uk/curriculum/pre_school

    • Curricular Guidance for Pre-School Education

    Related content

    • Applying for a funded pre-school place – 2025/26
    • Draft Early Years (0-6) Strategy Consultation
    • Early years education
    • Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy
    • Getting Ready to Learn (GRtL) & Getting Ready for Toddler (3+ Review)
    • Guidance for pre-school education providers
    • Guidance on induction and transition in pre-school education and Year 1 of primary school
    • Investing in Early Learning (1998)
    • Irish Medium Pre-School Research
    • Learning to Learn
    • Learning to Learn Consultation
    • Minister’s Decisions on Pre-School Settings Requesting Transition from September 2025
    • Origins of Pre-School Education in Northern Ireland
    • Pre-School Education Places
    • Pre-School Education Programme - Standardisation
    • Pre-school Review 2004 - A fresh start for early years
    • Qualifications for early years specialists
    • Review of Pre-School Admissions Arrangements
    • Sure Start
    • The Pathway Fund
    • The Pathway Fund 2021–2023
    • Tranche Three – Pre-school Settings Requesting Transition From September 2025
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