Debate contribution: Nurseries: Penultimate-age Children

Debate contribution by Mr Paul Givan on 6 October 2026.

MLA: Mr Paul Givan
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 6 October 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Nurseries: Penultimate-age Children
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5776928

Text

I think that it is question 7. Current legislation requires all statutory preschool settings to admit penultimate-age children who apply for a funded preschool education place if they still have places remaining after all target-age applicants have been considered. Research is clear that preschool education is not age- and stage-appropriate provision for penultimate-age children. The draft early learning and childcare strategy that was issued for public consultation included this action:
"Make legislative changes, subject to consultation, to amend the age range for funded statutory pre-school provision, removing the current requirement to enrol children in their penultimate pre-school year."
That issue has been raised with me by stakeholders on many occasions, and I have listened to their concerns. New legislation is required if we are to remove that requirement, and I intend to commence public consultation on the issue before the end of this mandate. In advance of the final strategy, however, I have already provided support to enable the expansion of targeted early learning programmes, such as Sure Start, Pathway and Toybox, which can provide more age-appropriate support for penultimate-age children. Further actions to continue those expansions are proposed in the draft strategy and were strongly supported in the consultation responses. In addition, the strategy includes an action to provide access to age- and stage-appropriate:
"developmental provision for all children aged 2–3 (in their pre-pre-school year)."
I intend to bring the final early learning and childcare strategy to the Executive in the coming weeks. Progression of all actions will, of course, be subject to the necessary Executive approvals at all stages and the availability of funding.

266 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Awaiting analysis

This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification