The Education Authority in Northern Ireland reports that 92.43% of children applying for pre-school places in September 2026 have received allocations in their first-choice setting. This percentage will rise after the admissions process ends in May 2026.

Every child whose parents request one can access a funded pre-school place across Northern Ireland. Even if first choices cannot always be met, alternative funded options exist within five miles of home, or two miles in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry.

Parents should submit at least four preferences during applications. Individual pre-school settings determine their own admissions criteria. Some non-statutory providers give priority to children who attended previously on a paid basis.

Statutory nursery schools and units follow fixed intake limits set by the Department of Education or Minister. Private and voluntary pre-schools receive funded places from the Education Authority based initially on prior October usage.

The Authority adjusts these allocations yearly using current applications, local demand, population changes, and access needs. Adjustments occur where data indicates strain on availability.

Overall funded provision meets current needs. The Authority prioritizes filling existing spots to avoid excess capacity. It conducted and published a review last year with the Department of Education on non-statutory provider allocations. Monitoring of the process continues.