AQW 42524/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 13/03/2026
Answered On Date: 19/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the rationale behind the proposed closure of services at Holy Cross Play and Learn Group.

Answer:

The Education Authority (EA) is responsible for managing the Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP) and for ensuring that sufficient funded pre-school provision is available to meet demand in all areas.

To remain in the PSEP settings must achieve a minimum threshold of eight applications in the admissions process. In Stage One of the process Play and Learn Playgroup received a total of six applications and therefore in line with policy was considered for withdrawal from the PSEP by the Education Authority Pre-School Education Group (EA PEG).

The decision was subsequently taken by the EA PEG to withdraw Play and Learn Playgroup from the PSEP for the 2026/27 academic year due to receiving insufficient applications and there being sufficient alternative pre-school provision in the area.

The withdrawal of the playgroup is for one year only and the setting will be invited to participate in the pre-school admissions process for the 2027/28 academic year.