This article explains how government-funded childcare hours work in Northern Ireland and how to apply.
Table of contents
At a glance
- Government-funded childcare in Northern Ireland works differently from the rest of the UK, with no access to the 15 or 30 hours schemes.
- All 3-4 year olds are entitled to 12.5 hours per week of funded pre-school education in term time via the Pre-School Education Programme.
- Two-year-olds are not eligible for free hours but families may get support through Sure Start.
- Working parents can use Tax-Free Childcare to help with costs.
Childcare schemes such as ’15 hours’ or ’30 hours free childcare’ are not available in Northern Ireland, however parents of three and four-year-olds can get help through the Pre-School Education Programme.
Northern Ireland 12.5 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds
- In Northern Ireland, all three and four-year-olds are entitled to 12.5 hours per week of free pre-school education in their immediate pre-school year.
- This is at least 12.5 free hours per week during term time.
- The universal free childcare for 3-4 year-olds of 12.5 hours per week totals 475 hours a year.
Northern Ireland’s Pre-School Education Programme aims to ensure children receive quality early years education. It encourages their social, physical and mental development while helping them to prepare for school (Primary One).
Although not compulsory, parents can only use the funded hours to secure a pre-school place for 2.5 hours per day, five days per week during term time (38 weeks).
This means there is little flexibility and does not enable working parents to access childcare in the same way as the 15 and 30 hours free childcare hours do in England, Wales and Scotland.
The funded Pre-School Education Programme places can be used in the following early years settings:
- Nursery schools
- Primary schools with nursery units
- Voluntary and private pre-school providers
The funded pre-school places are available for every child but parents must apply.
Pre-School Education Programme: How to apply
To apply for a pre-school education place, go to the Education Authority website to complete the steps.
The application portal opens well in advance and each pre-school has its own admission criteria. If a nursery school receives more applications than they have places, they use specific criteria to decide who to offer places to.
This means you should make sure that your child fulfils the admission criteria of the settings you apply to.
Each setting must publish its admission criteria, which could include:
- Priority given to eldest child/only child
- Priority given to children whose siblings are enrolled at the setting
- Priority given to children living in close proximity to the setting
It is recommended to list at least four settings in order of your preference. This is because your first choice is not guaranteed.
If your child is under the age of 2, you cannot make an application for a pre-school place.
Free childcare for 2-year-olds in Northern Ireland
- Although two-year-olds are unable to access the 12.5 hours of free pre-school per week, the Sure Start programme may be available.
The Sure Start programme supports parents with children under the age of four living in disadvantaged areas of the country.
Sure Start aims to enhance the life chances for young children growing up in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The scheme provides equal opportunity to early learning and childcare.
Through Sure Start, parents can access a variety of services from fathers’ groups to play sessions for babies and young children.
To find out more about Sure Start, click here.
Help with paying for childcare
Working parents in Northern Ireland can also get help with paying for approved childcare. This means the provider is registered and inspected by their local Health and Social Care Trust.
Approved childcare includes:
- Nursery
- Childminder
- Play scheme
- Home childcarer
- School registered to provide childcare
Tax-Free Childcare
Working parents with children under the age of 12 (under 17 if they have a disability) can receive up to £2,000 a year per child to pay for childcare (up to £500 every three months).
For a child with a disability, you can receive up to £4,000 per year, or £1,000 every three months.
This is done by setting up a childcare account online which is then used to pay your provider. For every £8 you pay into the childcare account, the government adds £2.
For more information, visit our Tax-Free Childcare section.
To explore other ways to get help with childcare costs, please see our Nursery fees advice.
FAQs
How much free childcare can you get in Northern Ireland?
Schemes such as the 15 and 30 hours free childcare are not available in Northern Ireland. Instead, all four-year-old children are entitled to 12.5 hours per week of free pre-school education, also known as the Pre-School Education Programme. This totals 475 hours a year.
What is the Pre-School Education Programme?
The Pre-School Education Programme aims to ensure all children in Northern Ireland receive quality early years education and help them prepare for school, and to encourage children’s social, physical and mental development.
Where can parents in Northern Ireland use the funded hours?
The funded pre-school places can be used in early years settings such as nursery schools, primary schools with nursery units as well as voluntary and private pre-school providers.
Can parents of 2-year-olds access free childcare?
Although two-year-olds in Northern Ireland are not entitled to the funded pre-school places, families may access some childcare through the Sure Start Programme, which aims to support parents with children under the age of four living in disadvantaged areas of the country.
How do you apply for a funded pre-school place?
To access the free pre-school place, parents must apply through the Education Authority website. The application process opens well in advance and each setting has its own admission criteria, so your first choice is not guaranteed.
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