999 kids denied nursery places in WELB

A THOUSAND children were denied nursery school places in the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) between 2006 and 2009, the Sentinel can reveal.

By The Newsroom

Published 23rd Jun 2011, 11:31 BST

The total number of applicants for nursery school places in WELB over the four year period was 19,756.

But 999 children were not offered a place: 235 of the children were at the final age at which they would qualify for a nursery place; 764 were younger.

Last week the Sentinel revealed 102 Londonderry pre-school children were denied first choice places next year and that 39 children remained unplaced.

DUP MLA Willie Hay said he was seeking a meeting with Education Minister John O’Dowd over a shortfall in nursery school places in Londonderry.

John O'Dowd DUP