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  • The Pathway Fund 2021–2023

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

    The Department of Education’s Pathway Fund for 2021/22 (and provisionally 2022/23) will open for application from Tuesday 5th January 2021.

    The Pathway Fund is administered on behalf of the Department by Early Years – the Organisation for Young Children (EYO). Details of the Fund can be found on the EYO website; including how to register for online information sessions about submitting an application.

    The Pathway Fund aims to;

    • improve the development of children who are at risk of not reaching their full educational potential; and
    • enhance sustainability of the Early Years sector.

    The Fund is open to all registered providers or facilitators of Early Years education and learning provision focused on children 0-4 years, such as:

    • Registered Sessional Day-care Settings (Out of Schools, Summer Schemes, Playgroups, Crèches)
    • Registered Full Day Care Settings (Day Nurseries)
    • Registered Childminders
    • Facilitators of Early Years education and learning.

    EYO can be contacted for queries relating to the Fund by visiting the Early Years website

    Related content

    • Applying for a funded pre-school place – 2025/26
    • Curricular guidance
    • 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
    • Tranche Three – Pre-school Settings Requesting Transition From September 2025
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