AQW 5438/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 05/02/2024
Answered On Date: 14/02/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update regarding the standardisation of the pre-school education programme.

Answer:

Significant work has been done by my Department to make progress towards standardisation of the pre-school education programme, including via the ‘Amalgamation for Standardisation’ pilot and the commissioning of a detailed scoping study which was informed by extensive stakeholder engagement.

In late 2022, the Department launched a pilot programme ‘Amalgamation for Standardisation’ to facilitate change to a full-time (minimum 22.5 hours per week) pattern of pre-school provision where there is evidence demonstrating an historical pattern of over provision within the setting and sufficient capacity in the surrounding area to continue to provide a funded pre-school education place for every target-aged child whose parents want it. Feedback from settings participating has been universally positive and the learning from the pilot will help inform a smooth transition process for further roll-out.

In early 2023, RSM UK were commissioned to carry out a detailed scoping study which involved a survey of all funded pre-school education settings, as well as desk research and interviews with practitioners and sectoral representatives. This scoping study is nearing its conclusion, with the final report due to be submitted to the Department by the end of March 2024.

The Scoping Study Report will enable my Department to establish a costed implementation plan for the phased roll out of a universal, standardised, funded pre-school session length for every child whose parents want it. I will be looking to Executive colleagues to prioritise the funding required.