“Completely unacceptable”: Shock as EA pulls Ballymena pre-school funding

Kirkinriola Primary School

A rural pre-school on the outskirts of Ballymena has been left reeling after the Education Authority (EA) confirmed it is withdrawing funding for the year ahead — a decision described as “completely unacceptable” by those at the heart of the setting.

Kirkinriola Early Years (KEY), based at Kirkinriola Primary School, was informed on Monday 23 February that funded pre-school places would be removed for the 2026/27 academic year.

The move affects a provision currently employing three staff members and supporting 24 children, including 15 in their pre-school year.

The director of Kirkinriola Early Years told Love Ballymena:

“On Monday 23rd February we were informed by the Education Authority that they would be withdrawing funding for Pre-school places at Kirkinriola Early Years for this year only.

“This is completely unacceptable.

“We would like to reassure everyone that everything is being done to ensure our rural community is not disadvantaged by this inequitable policy.”

Assembly challenge over “deeply concerning decision”

The funding decision was raised with the Education Minister Paul Givan at Question Time in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday (February 24), where North Antrim Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan described it as “deeply concerning”.

He told the chamber:

“Minister, I previously raised reduced funding for early years places. Kirkinriola Early Years Playgroup outside Ballymena, in my constituency, despite enrollment figures over the last five years of 15, 16, 17, 21, and 19, received a letter from the EA on Friday, not indicating reduced funding places, but withdrawing funding for 26-27 because the local playgroup reduced a one-time gap, and the EA will be contacting parents who nominated the provision to provide them with advice. Can I ask, Minister, does this decision concern you, given its impact on a rural constituency?”

Responding, the Minister of Education Paul Givan said:

“Mr Speaker, I’ve been to Kirkinriola. A colleague, Mr Frew, had me visit the school and I was very impressed with the provision that is there and was able to view the early years setting, which is located right beside the school. So, I’m happy to look into the particular issue that the member has raised.

“I wasn’t aware of it. Obviously, there will be an operational decision that the EA may be taking in this respect, but I’m certainly happy to look into this matter for the member.”

Mr McGuigan pressed the issue further, highlighting uncertainty around allocations:

“Thank you. I thank the Minister. He’s right, the pre-school beside the school plays a vital role in terms of enrollment continuity and given the fact that second and third preference allocations aren’t actually going to be known until next Wednesday, so the true numbers for 26-27 aren’t actually known yet. I was going to ask the Minister that given the long-standing pattern of good enrollment, would he consider looking into this to ensure that we can ensure sustainability of funding for 26-27, pending true figures?”

The Minister replied:

“Well, Mr Speaker, without knowing the specific details, and the member has articulated them well, there may be opportunity as part of those subsequent preferences that are being expressed whenever it comes to the allocation of places to the early years setting. But I don’t know enough to be able to give that assurance to the member, but I will certainly undertake to look into this matter and I’ll correspond with the member.”

“A much loved independent playgroup”

The pre-school’s connection to Kirkinriola Primary School is central to concerns locally.

Principal Emily McCaffrey said the setting plays a key role in ensuring a smooth transition into primary education.

“This is a much loved independent playgroup on our site that has become part of the Kirkinriola School community.

“We work closely with Kirkinriola Eary Years to provide a seemless transition for any pupils wishing to transfer to our beautiful country school.”

“We have a full P1 class coming in September this year to Kirkinriola Primary School, with 13 children coming from KEY.”

EA response

Asked for comment by Love Ballymena, an EA spokesperson said:

“There is sufficient pre-school provision in the area to accommodate all target aged children who have applied for a pre-school place.

“The Pre-School Education Group (PEG) has removed Kirkinriola Early Years PG from the Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP) for the forthcoming academic year. As a result, the setting will not be eligible to provide funded pre-school places as part of the PSEP.

“This temporary, one-year withdrawal was made in line with programme guidance, and in line with normal operation of the pre-school admissions process, as the setting received fewer than the required minimum of eight applications.”

The explanation centres on admissions thresholds. However, critics argue that final allocation figures are not yet confirmed, raising questions about the timing and impact of the decision.

Following his intervention at the Assembly, Mr McGuigan added:

“This is a well-established rural pre-school that has served our community for 25 years.

“For rural families, access to early years education is already limited.

“I have called for an urgent review of this decision. Our rural children and families deserve better.“

With 24 children currently enrolled, a full incoming P1 class at the adjoining primary school, and political scrutiny now under way, the future of funded places at Kirkinriola Early Years for 2026/27 remains uncertain — but firmly in the public spotlight.