Education Minister Paul Givan has announced that funding part-time non-statutory pre-school education providers will increase by an extra £350 per child.
The increase is in effect from September 1 this year, and will increase to £2,550 per pupil per year – up from £2,200.
The increase is aimed at addressing the financial pressures in the non-statutory pre-school sector including those resulting from increases in the national minimum and living wage rates, rising utility costs and increased employers’ National Insurance contributions.
Approximately 6,400 children currently attend non-statutory pre-school settings and will benefit from the increase in the funding rate.
Mr Givan announced the increase during a visit to Jolly Pirates Pre-School in Lisburn.
“I recognise the valuable contribution made by early years education providers in ensuring all children get the best possible start in life,” he said.
“I appreciate that the current financial climate has created specific pressures for the non-statutory pre-school education sector, and I have sought to respond to these within the budget available.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates my ongoing commitment to support the early years and pre-school education sectors at a time when the wider public expenditure climate is extremely challenging.”
The increased funding aims to ensure that the sector is stabilised ahead of the continued roll-out of the Department’s Pre-School Education Standardisation programme.
The standardisation programme aims over a period of time to offer full-time (22.5 hours per week) for all three to four-year-old children as part of the development of an Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.