Decision on the establishment of a Nursery Unit at All Children’s Integrated Primary School

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has turned down a Development Proposal for the establishment of a statutory nursery unit to replace reception provision at All Children’s Integrated Primary School in Newcastle.

Explaining the reasons for her decision, Ms Ruane commented: “My views on the value of pre-school provision for young children are well-known. Each development proposal for the establishment of new provision must, however, be carefully considered on the basis of all the information pertinent to the individual case.

“In this instance there are already sufficient places in the Newcastle area available for those children who are in the year immediately before they enter Primary 1 and approval of this proposal would create over-provision. On that basis, I did not feel that I could endorse this proposal.”

Notes to editors:

1. On 15 September 2009, the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) published Development Proposal (DP) Number 212, which proposes that a single nursery unit should be provided at All Children’s Integrated Primary School, Newcastle to replace the existing reception class in the school, with effect from 31 August 2010 or as soon as possible thereafter. The statutory two month objection period ended on 16 November 2009. It is intended that the single nursery would offer 26 full-time places.

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