AQW 12267/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 21/05/2024
Answered On Date: 06/06/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the processes in place to communicate with parents and carers upon the closure of a childcare or early years setting.

Answer:

Where a pre-school provider participating in the Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP) is withdrawn from the programme the approach taken by the Education Authority (EA) to inform and support parents and carers will vary depending on the circumstances. Primarily it involves the EA Admissions Service contacting parents by email or telephone to advise of the setting’s withdrawal and make them aware of alternative options. Where no email or phone number is available, parents will be contacted in writing.

For registered childcare providers, it is the responsibility of the provider to inform parents of their closure.