The Isle of Man government has overspent its pre-school voucher budget.
The admission was made by the Chief Executive of the Department of Education and Children as he gave evidence to a Tynwald select committee.
Stuart Dobson was speaking to the body which is examining the decision to transfer state run pre-schools into private ownership.
He said £400,000 had been set aside for the vouchers, but so far £446,000 had been spent on them.
The vouchers allow parents a set number of pre-school sessions per year for their children.