The Pre-School Education Expansion Programme (PEEP) in 1997 was part of the Government's manifesto to provide every child in their pre-school year with a funded place. As there were not enough places in nursery schools to accommodate children in their pre-school year, funding was allocated to the voluntary, community and private sectors to meet the shortfall.
For many years these sectors provided for the shortfall without any funding from the Department of Education and therefore had to charge fees for places. PEEP meant that for the first time they were able to offer funded places to children in their communities. This offers real choice to parents, who will now often choose the local playgroup. Playgroups receiving funding through this initiative are subject to the same inspection as nursery classes by the Education and Training Inspectorate, which show that many playgroups provide very high-quality care and education.
Although these sectors have welcomed this funding, in terms of funding equality, there is a big difference between them and the statutory sector.
Nursery school staff understandably say that nursery schools with a staff:child ratio of 2:26 are not suitable for two-year-olds. However, playgroups with three-year-olds already attending their centres are not able to offer funded places to these children unless they are in their pre-school year despite having an official staff:child ratio of 1:8 and, in many cases, 1:6. If parents want them to attend the local playgroup, they have to pay for places.
Playgroups do not receive any capital funds from the Department of Education, unlike the statutory sector. Despite this, the community sector battles on to not only promote pre-school care and education but to offer support and community spirit to the families. Although I sympathise with the statutory sector, the new sectors are currently not having an easy ride.
Margaret Cameron
Little Doves Community Playgroup, Newtownards, Co Down
