Financing for equity in pre-primary education
NORTHERN IRELAND
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
The official entrance age to pre-primary education in Northern Ireland is 3 years old. At least two years of free pre-primary education is granted in legal frameworks. As of 2015, the net enrolment rate for pre-primary education in the United Kingdom was 96.79%.
Governance
Pre-primary education is financed by the Department of Education and managed by the Education Authority (EA).
Tuition-free status
All pre-school places available under the Pre-School Education Programme are funded by the government. Parents don't pay for these places.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
In Northern Ireland, funding is not allocated to specific regions or localities. Instead, government resources are distributed periodically across departments, with the Department of Education receiving the designated share for educational purposes.
2. Education resources to institutions
Pre-primary education is financed under the Common Funding Scheme, established by the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. The General Schools Budget (GSB) represents the total expenditure by the Education Authority (EA) under this scheme, with funds distributed to nursery schools through the Primary and Nursery funding stream of the Aggregated Schools Budget (ASB). Allocation primarily considers school size and pupil numbers.
Nursery schools and classes may also receive additional funding targeting social needs, such as social deprivation. For example, in the 2024–25 school year, GBP 4.2 million was distributed to nursery schools and classes for social deprivation, including extra funds for pupils whose parents receive social benefits.
The Department of Education aims to provide a funded pre-school place to every child whose parents wish it in the year before compulsory education begins. These places are offered through the Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP), which encompasses nursery schools, nursery units, and private and voluntary playgroups, with funding distributed in phases starting September 2025.
Funding rates differ between part-time non-statutory and statutory pre-school education; for 2024–25, the rate for part-time non-statutory education was GBP 2,550 per pupil per year. Early years institutions may also access the Pathway Fund to support children at risk of not reaching their full educational potential.
3. Education resources to students and families
Tax-Free Childcare
Families in Northern Ireland who pay for approved childcare can reclaim up to GBP 2,000 per child per year, or up to GBP 4,000 for children with disabilities. Eligible childcare providers include registered childminders, play schemes, nurseries, clubs, schools registered to provide childcare, and approved home childcarers. Parents must be working and earn under GBP 100,000 annually. Families already receiving Universal Credit may not qualify.
Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS)
The NICSS reduces childcare costs by 15 per cent for all qualifying children of eligible working parents. Parents who claim Tax-Free Childcare may also receive NICSS support. The subsidy is delivered directly by the childcare provider on the family’s childcare bills.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
The Child Benefit is a universal programme providing financial support to families with children under 16, or under 20 if they remain in approved education or training. Introduced by the 1975 Child Benefit Bill, it replaced the previous family allowance and child tax allowance benefits. Families receive GBP 26.05 per week for the eldest or only child and GBP 17.25 for each additional child, along with national insurance credits. Households with an individual income above GBP 60,000 in the 2024–25 tax year may be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge, though families can opt out of receiving payments to avoid the charge.
