Givan announces increase in funding for non-statutory pre-school providers

Date published: 4 December 2024

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.

The funding rate for part-time non-statutory pre-school education providers has been increased to £2,550 per pupil per year, with effect from 1 September 2024. The current rate is £2200 per pupil per year.

Approximately 6,400 children currently attend non-statutory pre-school settings and will benefit from the increase in the funding rate.

Announcing the increase during a visit to Jolly Pirates Pre-School in Lisburn, the Minister said: “I recognise the valuable contribution made by early years education providers in ensuring all children get the best possible start in life. 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 will help 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 3-4 year old children as part of the development of an Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.