Fact File Pre-school Places 2026

FACT: A funded pre-school place is available across NI for every child whose parents want one. 

FACT: 92.43% of children have already been allocated a place in their first preference pre-school setting for September 2026. 

This figure is expected to increase further once the second and final stage of the admissions process concludes in May 2026. 

While first preference places cannot be guaranteed for every applicant, no child will be left without a reasonable local option. The process ensures there are alternative funded places available within a maximum of five miles of the family home (two miles in the cities of Belfast and Derry/Londonderry). 

Parents are encouraged to list a minimum of four preferences. 

FACT: Admissions criteria are set by individual pre-school settings, not by the Education Authority. While proximity may be included, some non-statutory settings prioritise other criteria, such as whether a child held a paid place at the setting in the previous year. 

FACT: Statutory nursery schools and nursery units have fixed admissions numbers set by the Department/Minister and must admit children up to that limit. 

Private and voluntary pre-schools are allocated funded places by the EA, initially based on previous October uptake.  Throughout the admissions process, EA reviews current application data, local demand, demographic trends and accessibility considerations, and adjusts provision where evidence shows pressure on places. 

As there is currently sufficient funded provision overall, the most effective use of public funding is to fill existing places rather than create over provision. 

FACT: Parental demand is a central driver of pre-school place allocations, as evidenced by the fact that 92.43% of children have already been allocated their first preference setting. 

However, allocations also require careful planning to ensure sustainable provision across each area. 

Making ad hoc increases to individual providers where places already exist nearby can have unintended consequences - including destabilising other settings and increasing the risk of closure. This would ultimately reduce parental choice. 

FACT: For pre-school settings, allocations of places are initially based on uptake of funded places in the previous year. However, that is just the starting point and is not the only consideration. The places are reviewed annually as part of the planning process. 

When finalising allocations, EA uses up-to-date application figures, local demand, demographic trends, and accessibility considerations to adjust allocation numbers where evidence shows pressure on places. 

There is currently sufficient funded provision overall. To repeat - the best use of public funding is to fill existing places rather than create over-provision. 

FACT: EA carried out - and published - a review in conjunction with the Department of Education last year on allocation numbers for non-statutory providers. 

We continue to keep all aspects of the process under review.