Pathway Fund Opens Applications for Early Years Sector in Northern Ireland

Early Years, the largest non-profit organisation supporting young children in Northern Ireland, is administering the Pathway Fund on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Department of Education. This initiative aims to improve outcomes for children aged 0-4, particularly those at risk of underachievement in the school system.

The fund is designed to help registered sessional daycare settings, full daycare providers and individual childminders sustain and enhance their services. Its focus is on fostering child development and strengthening the early years sector in Northern Ireland.

The Pathway Fund includes three streams, offering financial support to a range of early years education providers and registered childminders. Funding ranges from £500 for registered childminders and Approved Home Childcarers under Stream C to up to £40,000 for larger registered providers under Stream A.

Funding for the 2026/27 period will depend on the availability of the Department of Education’s budget, with no guarantee of awards beyond 2025/26.