Education Minister has announced that online
applications of the targeted early years Pathway Fund for 2025/26
and 2026/27 have opened.
Introduced by the Department of Education in 2016, the Pathway
Fund focuses on the provision of early years education
services for children aged 0-4 years who may be at risk of
educational underachievement.
It is also aimed at developing an enhanced and more sustainable
early years sector through the provision of vital training and
governance support for early years providers in receipt of
funding.
Minister Givan said: “Earlier this year I announced
a further £600,000 for the Pathway Fund, bringing the total
Pathway Fund to nearly £4.4million in 2024-25. This reaffirms my
ongoing commitment to stabilise the early years sector and
support for high-quality targeted learning for children at risk
of educational underachievement.
“I will continue to make the case for additional
financial support to fund the further expansion of Pathway and
would urge all providers to engage with the information sessions
facilitated by Early Years and submit their applications for this
important funding.”
The Pathway Fund, administered on behalf of the Department of
Education by Early Years – the Organisation for Young Children,
supports over 10,000 children annually across Northern Ireland in
around 180 settings. Projects funded include supporting children
in disadvantaged areas with special educational needs or with
limited access to early years support.
The new Fund is now open for online applications, with further
information including a number of information sessions available
on the Early Years website.
Early Years Chief Executive, Pauline Walmsley said: “Early Years
is pleased to continue our partnership with the Department of
Education to further enhance and deliver this crucial funding and
we look forward to working with all providers, including
childminders in local communities across Northern Ireland to
sustain essential early education and childcare services.”
All funding awards are subject to Department of Education budget
availability and arrangements for year two, 2026/27 and for any
future years will be determined at a later date. Applications
close on 20 of December 2024.
Notes to editors:
- Eligibility criteria, FAQs and the online application process
can be accessed via the Early Years website https://www.early-years.org/the-pathway-fund
