Pre-School Education Programme - Standardisation
In May 2024 the Minister of Education set out his intention to standardise the Pre-school Education Programme (PSEP) to full-time (22.5 hours per week) for all children aged 3-4 as part of the development of an Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, in line with the recommendations of the Fair Start Report (2021). The Department, in conjunction with the Education Authority (EA), is progressing a Pre-School Standardisation Programme (PSP) to effect this change over time.
Implementation
To date 105 pre-school settings have been approved to transition to the full-time session length from September 2025 and a further 102 settings from September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
- Pre-School Standardisation – Frequently Asked Questions
- Minister’s Decisions on Pre-School Settings Requesting Transition from September 2025
- Ministers Decisions on Pre-School Settings Requesting Transition from September 2026
Scoping Study
A detailed Scoping Study was commissioned by the Department to provide a comprehensive evidence base for the development of a costed implementation plan for full standardisation.
A copy of the Final Scoping Study Report can be found below, together with a copy of the Minister’s correspondence to stakeholders in regard to the report.
Amalgamation for Standardisation Pilot
The Department carried out significant preparatory work on standardisation, including the ‘Amalgamation for Standardisation’ pilot which facilitated the approval of new full-time pre-school places via a streamlined process. This pilot was a success and has provided a platform on which to progress further work on Pre-School Standardisation.
A record of the decisions made in 2022 and 2023 on requests for change under the Amalgamation for Standardisation Pilot can be found by clicking the links below.
- Amalgamation for Standardisation Pilot decisions 2022 | Department of Education (education-ni.gov.uk)
- Amalgamation for Standardisation Pilot decisions 2023 | Department of Education (education-ni.gov.uk)
Further details regarding Amalgamation for Standardisation can be found in the relevant DE circulars which can be accessed by clicking the link below: