Childcare and pre-school
Pre-school (3 and 4 years old)
In Northern Ireland, parents of all three and four year-olds can apply to receive 12.5 hours per week of free, also known as funded, preschool education.
Places are provided by nursery schools, primary schools with nursery units and some voluntary playgroups and private providers.
Click here to find out about the pre-school provisions in your area.
Sure Start
The Sure Start programme supports parents with children aged under four years old, living in disadvantaged areas in Northern Ireland. The programme can help a parent from pregnancy until their child starts school.
Sure Start operates in the some parts of the following areas in Causeway Coast and Glens:
Coleraine and Portrush
Telephone: 028 7032 1032
E-mail: info@colerainesurestart.org.uk
http://www.colerainesurestart.org.uk/
Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Bushmills, Armoy
Phone: 028 2073 0444
Email: admindrss@northerntrust.hscni.net
Limavady, Dungiven and surrounding areas
Telephone: 028 7772 9826
E-mail: info@dryarchcentre.org
Please note that only some areas of these towns are eligible for Sure Start services.
Finding a Childminder
NICMA Northern Ireland Childminders Association maintains a list of registered childminders.
You can search for childminders in your area by inputting your postcode on their website:
Tel: 028 9181 1015
Email: info@nicma.org
Help with Childcare Costs
Employers for Childcare can advise parents on the help available with childcare costs
Freephone 0800 028 3008