Early Start Pre-School Programme

The Early Start Programme is a pre-school project which targets some areas of urban disadvantage.

The programme is a one-year scheme to meet the needs of children, aged between 3 and 5, who are at risk of not reaching their potential in school.

The project involves:

• enhancing the child's overall development
• helping to prevent school failure
• reducing the effects of social disadvantage

The Early Start Programme encourages parents or guardians to get involved as much as possible. This recognises the parent or guardian as the child's primary educator. It also helps the parent or guardian to become more involved in their child's education.

This scheme is not open for applications.

• Early Start Guidelines for Schools
• Early Start Annual Census Return
• List of Early Start Units
• Details of Grant Aid