Pre-school place limits in Omagh leave families frustrated

DOZENS of young children across the Omagh area are being denied places at their nearest pre-schools due to enrolment restrictions imposed by the Education Authority (EA) and Department of Education (DE).

One Fintona mother, who asked not to be named, told the Ulster Herald how her son – who lives just yards from Denamona Primary School – cannot secure a place there and may now have to travel further afield.

“This is going to impact his emotional and educational development,” she said.

Local pre-school leaders say the situation is due to rigid Published Admissions Numbers (PANs), which have not been adjusted to reflect local demand.

Rosena Treacy from the nursery unit at St Brigid’s PS in Mountfield said the current approach was ‘deeply disappointing’.

“Small rural pre-schools are being restricted to numbers far below the demand they’re seeing. It’s frustrating for both staff and parents. At the moment, we have three children who are being denied access to their local, community-run playgroup.

“This has a far-reaching impact – on children’s wellbeing, their ability to form local friendships, and it’s placing a financial burden on families and playgroups alike.”

Denamona Primary School has received 22 pre-school applications this year but has been allocated just 12 places. Principal Janet Burke said it was ‘distressing’ for families.

“We have young children with siblings already at Denamona who are being denied a place in our pre-school unit,” she said. “There’s a disregard for parental choice and no consideration of fluctuating birth rates. The current process for allocating pupil numbers is not fit for purpose.”

Donna Shields from the Rainbow Community Playgroup at the Station Centre in Omagh said they had also been left frustrated.

“We have always struggled with numbers because it is hard to compete with nurseries attached to schools here in Omagh,” she said.

“We had 12 applications, including 11 first preferences – but didn’t receive the funded places to match. We’re registered and have capacity for 24 children, yet we can’t meet demand due to these caps.

“What’s happening is that parents are being denied the right to send their child to a setting that suits their needs.”

One Omagh woman said her daughter was denied a place at Rainbow Community Playgroup, despite meeting criteria and the setting having capacity.

“My daughter did not get a funded pre-school place despite the fact that she meets the playgroup admissions criteria, the setting has accommodation for her and it was listed as her first preference.

“She didn’t get a funded place, even though it was our first preference. I now face either driving ten minutes to another setting or paying fees to stay at Rainbow. It’s unfair that I can’t access funded pre-school in the setting that works for my family.”

Education Minister Paul Givan said the EA is responsible for allocating pre-school places annually, but acknowledged the current situation was unsatisfactory.

“The EA are actively trying to manage the number of places for the need in our community. They need to make sure that there isn’t over supply, so this year the circumstances have not been satisfactory in terms of the information that has been communicated and we are trying to investigate and understand how that has happened.”

West Tyrone Sinn Fein MLA Nicola Brogan said that the decision to cap numbers has caused huge stress and anxiety amongst playgroup staff and the parents of children.

“I have raised this issue with the Education Minister and urge the Minister and the EA to do the right thing and provide the correct places to meetevery child;s needs. Community basedplaygroups provide an incredible service and they deserve to be supported and protected.”