To ask the Minister of Education to detail any additional support that can be provided to non-statutory pre-school providers to ensure parity in resources and support with statutory providers.

My Department reviews the rate at which non-statutory pre-school education settings are funded on an annual basis. The current rate of £2,150 per child attending a part-time non-statutory pre-school setting is higher than the Age Weighted Pupil Unit (AWPU) rate of £2,109 for a pupil attending a part-time statutory nursery unit and is due to be reviewed again in Summer 2024.

I am also considering proposals for additional in-year support to be provided as part of a range of stabilisation measures for the Early Learning and Childcare sector, subject to the availability of necessary Executive funding.

The scoping study commissioned to provide a detailed evidence base for the development of a costed implementation plan for pre-school standardisation has considered how support and advice for pre-school settings could be improved. Once the scoping study report is received and the necessary financial and staff resources secured, detailed planning for implementation can commence.