To ask the Minister of Education what consideration he has given to allowing parents and carers to split their 22.5 hours between pre-school and childcare provision.

It is my intention to standardise the length of funded pre-school sessions to 22.5 hours per week (term time) for all children, subject to the necessary budget being made available by the Executive. There is a strong evidence base for doing so to support children’s early learning and development.

While the standardised Pre-school Education Programme (PSEP) will be non-compulsory, the 22.5 hours will provide a coherent package of curricular-based learning. It will be in the best interests of all target age children to attend regularly and for the full session to get the maximum benefit.

The childcare requirements of parents and carers is being considered as part of the wider Early Learning and Childcare Strategy.