Motion

Motion TitleCreating a Level Playing Field in Pre-School Admissions

Motion TextThat this Assembly expresses alarm that working families are disadvantaged by the current admissions criteria for pre-school education; is concerned that the requirement for providers to give priority to children from socially disadvantaged circumstances frequently acts as a barrier to other children being placed at their parents’ preferred setting or at a setting close to where they live; notes, in particular, the inequality borne by children whose parents are both in employment; recognises that the current statutory criteria was introduced when there were not enough places for all children to attend pre-school, whereas today sufficient places exist in every part of Northern Ireland; welcomes progress toward the standardisation of full-time pre-school education; and calls on the Minister of Education, in this context, to outline his intention to provide a level playing field in pre-school admissions, including an indicative timeline for the removal of the current social disadvantage criterion.

Motion CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Date Tabled to Business Office06/05/2025

Date Selected By Committee06/05/2025