Free childcare in Northern Ireland | Eligibility

This article explains how government-funded childcare hours work in Northern Ireland and how to apply.

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 two years-old, 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.

More nursery advice for parents

From settling-in tips to understanding funded hours, find guidance to help you choose with confidence.

Read more nursery advice