Government funded early education in Northern Ireland is not classed as a public fund for immigration purposes. It can be accessed by a child regardless of immigration status, including where a parent is subject to the no recourse to public funds (NRPF) condition.
The following support is available:
Children aged 3 and 4 may be able to access funded pre school education through the Pre-School Education Programme. This provides up to 12.5 hours per week, usually taken as 2.5 hours a day over 5 days.
Places must be applied for and are subject to admissions criteria set by individual pre school providers. Applications must be made through the Education Authority Northern Ireland. Each pre-school setting sets its own admissions criteria, so families should check directly with providers for more information.
Further details are available on the Education Authority website.
Working parents may be able to get help with childcare costs through the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme, delivered by Early Years. This offers a 15% subsidy on registered childcare costs and is available for children aged 0-11.
To qualify, parents must meet eligibility requirements for tax‑free childcare eligibility, including immigration requirements. This means many families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) may not qualify. The child must be using a childcare provider that is registered with HMRC for tax‑free childcare.
Further information is available on the Early Years website.
Working parents in Northern Ireland may be eligible for tax-free childcare, subject to meeting the relevant requirements. See our page on tax-free childcare for more information.
Page updated: 16 June 2026
