Pre-School Education Programme - Standardisation

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The Minister of Education has set out his intention to standardise the Pre-school Education Programme 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, is progressing a Pre-School Standardisation programme to effect this change over time.

Implementation

It is the intention to transition c. 100 pre-school settings to deliver full-time pre-school education (22.5 hours per week) from September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. 

Scoping Study

 A detailed Scoping Study has been 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.

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