Education Minister announces new round of funding to support early years

Date published: 26 November 2024

Introduced by the Department of Education in 2016, the Pathway Fund focuses on the provision of early years education services for children aged 0-4 years who may be at risk of educational underachievement.

It is also aimed at developing an enhanced and more sustainable early years sector through the provision of vital training and governance support for early years providers in receipt of funding.

Minister Givan said “Earlier this year I announced a further £600,000 for the Pathway Fund, bringing the total Pathway Fund to nearly £4.4million in 2024-25. This reaffirms my ongoing commitment to stabilise the early years sector and support for high-quality targeted learning for children at risk of educational underachievement.

“I will continue to make the case for additional financial support to fund the further expansion of Pathway and would urge all providers to engage with the information sessions facilitated by Early Years and submit their applications for this important funding.”

The Pathway Fund, administered on behalf of the Department of Education by Early Years – the Organisation for Young Children, supports over 10,000 children annually across Northern Ireland in around 180 settings. Projects funded include supporting children in disadvantaged areas with special educational needs or with limited access to early years support.

The new Fund is now open for online applications with further information including a number of information sessions available on the Early Years website.

Early Years Chief Executive, Pauline Walmsley said: “Early Years is pleased to continue our partnership with the Department of Education to further enhance and deliver this crucial funding and we look forward to working with all providers, including childminders in local communities across Northern Ireland to sustain essential early education and childcare services.”

All funding awards are subject to Department of Education budget availability and arrangements for year two, 2026/27 and for any future years will be determined at a later date. Applications close on 20 of December 2024.