Please explain this to me like I am a child!

[Lavender14]

So ds is 2.5 and I am trying to understand how 'pre pre' works in Northern Ireland? How do you enrol a child, how does this work compared to nursery school and can anyone link me to where I need to go to be able to apply for ds? I have been trawling the EA website but find it all so confusing and I need the enrolment for dummies version!! Please help!

If your child turns 3 before 31st December you can apply,depending where you are there might be loads of spaces or no spaces. Some places you apply directly to and some education authority website. It's usually only like 2hours

So you’ve missed the application for pre pre for this year, although you may be able to submit a late application now - you’d be best to phone the EA directly. They will have a list of nurseries that have places left over and you can see if any suit you.
Then in January 2026, you’ll apply for his pre school/ nursery place. Most places have open days in December

There are also “playgroups” which your child can go to from age 2yrs and 10 months, which are similar to nursery but you’ve to pay (roughly £12-14 per day) but you can avail of the subsidy schemes to get discount

Thanks so much!!