To ask the Minister of Education for his assessment of the difference between pre-school education and childcare.

The Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP) is an educational programme targeted at children in their pre-school year and delivered free at the point of delivery to every target aged child whose parents want it. All funded PSEP settings including statutory and voluntary and private settings, are expected to adhere to the ‘Curricular Guidance for Pre-School Education’ published by CCEA.

The Department of Health sets out the minimum standards for registered childcare in Northern Ireland. All registered childcare providers in Northern Ireland, including childminders and day nurseries, must adhere to the standards and are inspected against these on an annual basis.

I recognise that high quality childcare will have an educational benefit and time spent in pre-school education has the potential to contribute to parents’ childcare requirements.