My Department has historically funded a number of pre-school services in schools in areas at particular risk of disadvantage and social exclusion. Outside of these initiatives, schools themselves are free to decide if they wish to make their facilities available for the running of early learning and care and/or school-age childcare services, and my Department understands that some schools do so. Any decision to make school facilities available lies with the relevant Trustees/ Property owners having regard to the requirements of the school, staff and students.
The policy of my Department is to support the use of school premises and facilities for community, recreational, education-related and other relevant purposes where possible. It is recognised that schools play an important role in their wider communities and many schools make their facilities available outside of school hours for a variety of different uses and users. In 2017 guidance, which was developed in consultation with school authorities, on the use of school buildings outside of school hours was published.
This guidance includes information which school authorities should consider in the event that they receive an application for the use of their school in connection with a pre-school. Where that proposed use may take place within schools hours consideration has to be given to the impact on the capacity of the school to meet its requirements including special education provision. Therefore where a school is considering the letting of part of its property as a pre-school or creche they must first seek the approval of the Minister. In addition, where schools enter agreements for the use of their facilities it should include a condition that the agreement may be terminated should the facility be required for education provision.
A copy of this guidance is available on my Department's website. My Department plans to undertake a review of these guidelines. As part of this review process my Department will consult with relevant stakeholders, including representatives of schools and other government Departments.
