Listen: Limavady mum "heartbroken" over nursery school place

Sep 02, 2016, 08:49 AM

Limavady mum Emma Kane says she's been left heartbroken after she says she was told that her three-year-old son Caleb no longer had a nursery place - just 48 hours before he was due to start. Emma had his uniform ready to start Buttercup Nursery - a special needs nursery in Limavady. She says a breakdown in communication between the nursery and the Education Authority means he has lost his place. The Education Authority say they have now launched an investigation. Emma has been speaking to our reporter Dean McLaughlin. She starts here by telling him about what life is like for Caleb on a daily basis.

A spokesperson for the Education Authority in Northern Ireland said: "It is not appropriate for the Education Authority to comment on the circumstances of an individual child. We are aware of an issue raised relating to communication with a parent and are currently investigating this matter further. The Education Authority provides a pre-school teaching service for children with special educational needs prior to commencing their pre-school year.

The statement goes on to say:

"In September 2016, as in previous years, this service will provide advice and support to parents to meet the needs of their children prior to commencing their pre-school year. As EA must give priority for pre-school places to children of the appropriate age, no places in special schools have been offered to under-age children."