Nursery World - The number of children in funded pre-school education in Northern Ireland has almost doubled

The number of children in funded pre-school education in Northern Ireland has almost doubled in the past five years, new statistics show. The school census released by the Department for Education for the year 2002-03 said that 21,076 children were in pre-school provision, with 14,092 in nursery schools or nursery classes in primary schools, 1,180 in reception classes and 5,804 in funded places in playgroups and day nurseries. This compares with 11,116 children in funded pre-school education in 1997-98. There has also been a significant increase in the number of children attending integrated primary and secondary schools, with 15,695 pupils in 2002-03 compared with 8,154 five years ago.

There has also been a significant increase in the number of children attending integrated primary and secondary schools, with 15,695 pupils in 2002-03 compared with 8,154 five years ago.

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