UK Education

   In June 2003, the Department of Education and Skills (DON) established a department to guarantee the launch (DON, 2003), which is responsible for early education, childcare and family support. The program aims to guarantee the launch of the merger early education from pre-school childcare and care outside of school. The program is built on policies of care for children and is intended to increase the availability of child care for all children, to improve health, education and emotional development. It also provides assistance to parents.

   In addition, Wales and Northern Ireland are working on the reform of preschool education program. After consulting in 2003, LSA plans to submit a primary phase of the educational program for children aged 3 to 7 years. This phase must be in effect during the period between September 2004 and September 2008.

   In 2002, the Northern Ireland Council educational programs, testing, and exclusion (SOPTI) published a proposal for a new elementary education program, which includes the planned changes in early education (SOPTI 2002).