NI pre-school boost: 102 new settings approved for full-time education from 2026

Education Minister Paul Givan is pictured at Anahilt Pre-school Playgroup, Hillsborough with pupils and Dara Graham, Preschool Leader.

Education Minister Paul Givan has announced a major expansion of pre-school education provision, with an additional 102 pre-school settings across Northern Ireland approved to offer full-time education from September 2026.

This announcement represents the second phase of settings approved to transition to offering full-time places under the ongoing Pre-school Standardisation Programme.

Minister Givan confirmed the expansion following a recent visit to Anahilt Pre-school Playgroup, which is one of the 102 settings set to transition to the standardised 22.5 hours per week from September 2026.

Standardisation Programme Gathers Pace

The move builds upon the first cohort of the standardisation programme, which saw 105 settings successfully transition to full-time sessions in September 2025.

Speaking about the programme's impact, Paul Givan said:

“The Pre-school Standardisation Programme has already seen 105 settings successfully transition to full time sessions in September 2025. It is already making a difference to over 2,500 children and their families.”

The Minister affirmed his dedication to the initiative, stating:

“Today’s announcement is another step forward in my commitment to standardise all funded pre-school education provision to 22.5 hours per week.”

The latest approvals mean that approximately half of all pre-school provision across Northern Ireland will now be full-time by September 2026.

“A further 102 settings have been approved to move to full time sessions from September 2026. This will mean that approximately 50% of pre-school provision, in every area of Northern Ireland, will be full time,” Mr Givan added.

Benefits for Children and Families

The extended sessions are designed to offer significant advantages for young learners, staff, and families alike.

The Minister highlighted the multiple benefits of the increased contact time, explaining that the additional hours will:

• Allow children to benefit from the rich play-based learning environment of the pre-school setting.

• Afford pre-school staff more time to interact with and support young learners.

• Provide access to a funded school meal for eligible children.

Reacting to the news, Dara Graham, Preschool Leader at Anahilt Pre-school Playgroup, expressed her delight:

“I am absolutely delighted that our setting has been chosen to move to the full 22.5 hours. This is a fantastic step for our children and families, and we are so proud to be part of this next stage in early years provision.”

Ms Graham emphasised the importance of early education within the community setting.

“As a community-run, charitable preschool, we see every day how much early education matters, and this decision will allow us to offer even more stability, support and opportunities for our little ones.”

Concluding his statement, Minister Givan reinforced the strategic importance of the investment:

“This investment in our pre-school sector clearly demonstrates the value that I place on early years education in Northern Ireland.”

Among the pre-school settings that have requested changes under the “Standardisation Programme” to deliver new or additional full-time (22.5 hours per week) funded pre-school education from September 2026 or as possible thereafter, are:

• Cloughmills Early Years Play Group

• Glenravel Community Play Group

• Greengables Pre-School Play Group

• Harryville Primary School Nursery Unit

• Kells and Connor Pre School Play Group

• Randalstown Community Play Group

The complete list of the approved pre-school settings is accessible on the Department of Education's website.