Content relates to the Pathway Fund arrangement for 2025/26 and provisionally 2026/27. Funding awards in 2025/2026 will be subject to DE budget availability.
Funding awards for year two ((2026/27) are also subject to DE budget availability therefore there is no guarantee of all or any funding in year two.
Stream A Application
A competitive funding application process open to all registered providers or facilitators with the following conditions in place:
Awards will be made for over £20,001 up to a maximum £40,000.
No duplication or displacement of existing provision.
Confirmation of need for the project and the funding requested.
Proposed projects will be assessed against the 6 Fund criteria.
Closing date for Stream A Applications is 4.00pm on Friday 20th December 2024
Stream B Application
A competitive funding application process open to all registered providers or facilitators with the following conditions in place:
Awards will be made up to £20,000.
No duplication or displacement of existing provision.
Confirmation of need for the project and the funding requested.
Proposed projects will be assessed against the 4 Priority Fund criteria.
Closing date for Stream B Applications is 4.00pm on Friday 20th December 2024
Stream C Application
The Pathway Fund Stream C is open to all registered Childminders and Approved Home Childcarers (AHCs) from 2025/26
Awards of up to £500.00
Providing applicants meet the eligibility criteria
Either a registered childminder or registered approve home childcarers (AHCs)
Compliant with the requirements of The Minimum Standards for Childminding and Day Care
Provide early learning and childcare services for children aged 0-4
Childminders and Approved Home Childcarers (AHCs) will need to provide detail of the total number of children being supported via the Pathway funding for children aged 0-4 years.
Closing date for Stream C Applications is 4.00pm on Friday 20th December 2024
Information Sessions
Content relates to the Pathway Fund Stream A & Stream B arrangement for 2025/26 and provisionally 2026/27.
Funding awards in 2025/26 will be subject to DE Budget availability.
Funding awards for year two (2026/27) are also subject to DE Budget availability therefore there is no guarantee of all or any funding in year two.
Pathway Fund administration arrangements for year two (2026/27), and for any future years, will be determined at a later date.
Please register to attend one of the following information sessions below
Filter by location, stream or date
| Location | Stream | Date & Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Stream A and B | 22nd November 2024, 2-4pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream A and B | 25th November 2024, 10.30am-12.30pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 25th November 2024, 1.30-2.30pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 25th November 2024, 3-4pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 25th November 2024, 4.30-5.30pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 25th November 2024, 6-7pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 25th November 2024, 8-9pm | Register here |
| Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh | Stream A and B | 25th November 2024, 6-8pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 26th November 2024, 10-11am | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 26th November 2024, 12-1pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream A and B | 26th November 2024, 2-4pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 26th November 2024, 5-6pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 26th November 2024, 6.30-7.30pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 26th November 2024, 8-9pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 27th November 2024, 10-11am | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 27th November 2024, 12-1pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 27th November 2024, 2-3pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream A and B | 27th November 2024, 4-6pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 27th November 2024, 6.30-7.30pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 27th November 2024, 8-9pm | Register here |
| Ballybot, Newry | Stream A and B | 27th November 2024, 6-8pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 28th November 2024, 10-11am | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 28th November 2024, 11.30am-12.30pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 28th November 2024, 1-2pm | Register here |
| Online | Stream C, Childminders | 28th November 2024, 2.30-3.30pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 28th November 2024, 4-5pm | Register here | Online | Stream A and B | 28th November 2024, 6-8pm | Register here | Online | Stream A and B | 2nd December 2024, 2-4pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 2nd December 2024, 5.30-6.30pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 2nd December 2024, 7.30-8.30pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 3rd December 2024, 6-7pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 3rd December 2024, 8-9pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 4th December 2024, 5.30-6.30pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 4th December 2024, 7.30-8.30pm | Register here | Online | Stream A and B | 5th December 2024, 10am-12pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 5th December 2024, 6-7pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 5th December 2024, 8-9pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 10th December 2024, 6-7pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 10th December 2024, 8-9pm | Register here | Online | Stream A and B | 11th December 2024, 10am-12pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 11th December 2024, 6-7pm | Register here | Online | Stream C, Childminders | 11th December 2024, 8-9pm | Register here |
If you require further help please see the application assistance videos or use our contact details.
USE THE LINKS BELOW WHEN COMPLETING AN APPLICATION
Useful Links and Resources
Department of Education (DE) Safeguarding Policy
Contact Us
For further information please contact The Pathway Fund
A: The Pathway Project, 6c Wildflower Way, Apollo Road, Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6TA
T: +44 (0)28 9066 2825 (Option 2)
E: thepathwayfund@early-years.org (Stream A & B)
E: streamc@early-years.org (Stream C)