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16/01/2004
Parents urged to apply for free pre-school places
NIO Education Minister Jane Kennedy has urged parents to apply for a free pre-school place for their children before the 28 January deadline.
Outlining the benefits of pre-school education, the Minister said: "This year there are places for more than 90% of children in their immediate pre-school year, thanks to the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme.
"It is widely acknowledged that good quality nursery education can improve children’s social, educational and emotional development and ensure they get off to the very best start in life and I would encourage parents to take-up the opportunity of a free place for their children by applying before the 28 January."
Simplified application forms are available from nurseries, playgroups and education and library boards offices.
The Minister added: "We are currently running a public awareness campaign to bring this to parents’ attention and to remind them of the application deadline."
Parents will be informed by Easter if their child has been offered a place.
Pre-school education is designed for children in the year immediately before they enter P1. Those children who were born between 2 July 2000 and 1 July 2001 inclusive and who reach their 3rd birthday on or before 1 July 2004 are eligible.
Parents were advised to list, in order of preference, the pre-school centres they would like to apply for and return the form to the parents’ first preference centre, along with the child’s birth certificate.
(SP)
Outlining the benefits of pre-school education, the Minister said: "This year there are places for more than 90% of children in their immediate pre-school year, thanks to the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme.
"It is widely acknowledged that good quality nursery education can improve children’s social, educational and emotional development and ensure they get off to the very best start in life and I would encourage parents to take-up the opportunity of a free place for their children by applying before the 28 January."
Simplified application forms are available from nurseries, playgroups and education and library boards offices.
The Minister added: "We are currently running a public awareness campaign to bring this to parents’ attention and to remind them of the application deadline."
Parents will be informed by Easter if their child has been offered a place.
Pre-school education is designed for children in the year immediately before they enter P1. Those children who were born between 2 July 2000 and 1 July 2001 inclusive and who reach their 3rd birthday on or before 1 July 2004 are eligible.
Parents were advised to list, in order of preference, the pre-school centres they would like to apply for and return the form to the parents’ first preference centre, along with the child’s birth certificate.
(SP)
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