To ask the Minister of Education to detail the reason why non-statutory pre-school providers can not accept children with additional needs as supernumerary, similar to statutory providers.

The Education Authority makes individual arrangements for children for whom statements are maintained under Article 16 of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, including, where appropriate, naming the most appropriate pre-school placement for them in that statement. This applies to placement in both statutory and non-statutory pre-school settings.

Legislation requires the Department to determine an admissions number and enrolment number for each statutory school, including statutory pre-schools. “Supernumerary” placement refers to a placement that is not counted within the statutory admissions or enrolment numbers for a statutory school.

As non-statutory pre-schools do not have statutory admissions or enrolment numbers, “supernumerary” placement is not applicable. Placements in these settings are made under Articles 10 and 12 of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.