Deadlines loom for pre-school and primary applications

THE deadlines for submitting applications for both pre-school and Primary 1 places is midday on Friday, January 11, 2013.  A spokesperson for the North Eastern Education and Library Board explained that priority for 2013-14 pre-school places will be given to children born between July 2, 2009 and July 1, 2010.

“The aim of the pre-school education programme is to ensure that there is a funded pre-school place for every child, either in a nursery school/unit or in a voluntary/private playgroup, for the year immediately before they are due to start primary school.

“It is important that parents list as many preferences as possible, as children will not necessarily get a place in their first-preference school or playgroup,” she added.

Application forms can be obtained from pre-school education providers, or from the board’s website at www.neelb.org.uk/parents/enrolment-transfer and should be returned to the parents’ first-preference provider.

To submit an application for a P1 place, for children whose fourth birthday falls on or before July 1, 2013, forms and information booklets are available from primary schools, or by downloading from www.neelb.org.uk/parents/enrolment-transfer and should be returned to the first-preference school.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the NEELB’s Open Enrolment Section on 028 25662197 or 028 25662584.