Funding will be made available to try and make sure pre-schoolers will be provided with 22.5 hours a week of education and care, according to the Programme for Government.
All children in a pre-school year should be provided with a full-time place amounting to 22.5 hours a week, the programme states.
“Currently, our Pre-School Education Programme, which impacts positively on social and emotional development and preparing children for school, is not standardised,” the executive said.
“We will invest in taking steps to ensure we can deliver long-term change and to stabilise core services...this will lead to a standardised provision of 22.5 funded pre-school hours a week.”
The government will invest “up to £25 million” to introduce a 15% childcare subsidy for parents in receipt of tax free childcare.
Families where both parents or lone parent are working and earning at least the national minimum wage for an average of 16 hours per week can access a 20% contribution towards their childcare costs under the tax-free childcare (TFC) scheme.
The new scheme in the north will pay a subsidy directly to providers to allow them to provide a further 15% discount on childcare fees for eligible children.
More broadly on education, the Executive’s “long-term strategy for 2024-2035 must deliver smart investments and education and skills initiatives to maximise opportunities for our green economy, job creation, and move us towards a fairer, more sustainable net zero future”.
“This will change the lives of our people and communities for the better,” the programme for government states.
Also part of the programme is the pledge to “transform the education system to provide high-quality, efficient and sustainable services for children with SEN (special education needs) and disability”.
“Systemic transformation will take time but it is vital that we respond meaningfully to make sure our education system works for all learners”.
Children’s Commissioner Chris Quinn said he was pleased there was a commitment to improved early learning and childcare and SEN services.
He added that he was disappointed that there was no specific outcome focusing on children and young people, as there was previously.
“I would have expected outcomes in addressing child poverty to be a fundamental aspect of the PfG,” he said.
“I will now carefully review the Executive’s draft PfG to assess how it will deliver for children and young people, particularly those most vulnerable within our communities.
“The true measure of the Programme for Government’s effectiveness will be its execution and the positive impact it has on the lives of children and their families.
“By the end of this Executive’s term, I hope to report that the PfG has brought about meaningful and significant change for children, particularly those most vulnerable or disadvantaged.”
