Ensuring every child can reach full potential is vital
2025 marks the 60th anniversary of Early Years, a remarkable milestone. Formed in 1965, the Northern Ireland Pre-school Playgroup Association began as a grassroots movement and has grown into Early Years – an organisation proud to have supported generations of children and families, strengthened communities, nurtured peace-building, and shared its expertise with countries emerging from conflict.
The past year has brought rapid and welcome change in our sector, culminating in the release of a draft Early Learning and Childcare Strategy from Education Minister Paul Givan. The consultation has been long awaited and I hope that when the final strategy is launched, it will be a significant step change for our sector.
The Northern Ireland Executive is now recognising that when we get it right for children, we get it right for parents, families, and society as a whole.
Some of the positive steps taken recently include the Childcare Subsidy Scheme, easing financial pressures on parents, the extension of the Pathway Fund, helping children facing disadvantage, and there is now a sharper focus on the long-awaited early learning and childcare strategy. In addition, the Education Minister has pledged to standardise the Pre-school Education Programme, offering 22.5 hours per week for all three- and four-year-olds, in line with the Fair Start Report (2021).
Along with recent progress, there remain challenges. Years of underinvestment, complicated funding systems, and reliance on high parental fees have left providers struggling and parents under immense pressure, particularly in the context of the current cost-of-living crisis. We know that gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged children open early. We also know that early intervention changes lives for the better, boosting children’s cognitive and emotional development, supporting their health, and strengthening the foundations for a thriving society. Other countries have shown that investing in early years brings both immediate economic benefits by helping more parents, especially women, to return to work, and long-term gains by upskilling the workforce of the future. Northern Ireland must set clear, ambitious targets to match.
Pauline Walmsley - Early Years CEO
From the very beginning, the Early Years organisation stood out. Founded by a generation of determined women, we worked across communities, across socio-economic divides, and across borders. As the Good Friday Agreement opened new possibilities, we recognised the unique role of children in peace-building. This led to the Media Initiative for Children – Respecting Difference Programme, and in time, our involvement in the UN-led Early Childhood Peace Consortium, building global partnerships from the USA to Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Palestine, China, and beyond – all while staying grounded in our Northern Irish roots.
Our strength has always been our combination of local and global.
Through our branch network, we remain deeply connected to families and practitioners while also contributing at national and international levels.
Over the past six decades, we have worked with thousands of dedicated people – staff, volunteers, parents, small businesses, health and social care professionals, and government colleagues – all committed to the same vision: giving every child the best start in life.
As we enter our seventh decade, the challenges are real, but so too are the opportunities. With greater investment on the horizon and the wealth of experience we have built over 60 years, Early Years will continue to lead with evidence, principle, and purpose. Our mission remains unchanged: to ensure that every child, regardless of background, can thrive and reach their full potential.
This article appeared in the Irish News on 19 December 2025