Change in admissions criteria for pre-school education settings

That was the message from Education Minister, John O’Dowd, on Friday as he welcomed the legislative change that has now been formally introduced following the review of pre-school admissions arrangements.

Mr O’Dowd said: “The requirement for pre-school settings to give priority in their admissions criteria to children born in July and August has now been removed as it was considered that this was disadvantaging younger children.

“While I fully recognise the role of Boards of Governors and Management Committees in relation to admissions criteria, in addition to changing the legislation, I am also recommending that pre-school settings do not use admissions criteria for children in their final pre-school year that differentiate by age. There is no educational reason why older children should have priority access to pre-school education in their final pre-school year.”

This legislative change came into effect on July 6 2012 and will apply to admissions to pre-school settings from September 2013 onwards.

Prior to implementing this change it was consulted upon with 95% of respondents expressing support.

Parents will be able to view the admissions criteria which apply to all pre-school providers in the admissions booklets which will be published by Education and Library Boards towards the end of this year.