Attwood announces £42,000 for childcare in Ballymena

Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood today announced a further funding package for Ballee Childcare Services in the Ballymena Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

The £41,886.71 will provide pre-school play group places for 48 children daily and employ four full time staff. It will also provide an afterschool club accommodating 24 children daily which will employ three part time staff.

The aim of the project is to provide affordable childcare which will allow parents to return to employment or take advantage of education and training opportunities. It also engages local children in personal, social, emotional and physical education at the earliest stage in a welcoming and secure environment.

Alex Attwood said “The funding of a Childcare Service project for the Ballymena area is a boost for the local people with young children. It will help to provide support for parents and families and develop the quality and coverage of pre-school and afterschool provision in this Neighbourhood Renewal Area, with a view to creating a more socially inclusive, empowered and sustainable community infrastructure.

"Providing quality childcare is an important part of ensuring a solid foundation for the future. Our young people need to be nurtured and projects like this will help achieve that. I welcome this significant funding for a very worthwhile project for the people of Ballymena.”

This funding award brings the total of Neighbourhood Renewal invested in Ballee Child Care Services to £421,849.

Notes to editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy “People and Places” which was published in June 2003 sets out governments proposals for closing the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.
2. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:
   - Community Renewal – to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in the areas;
   - Economic Renewal – to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy;
   - Physical Renewal – to help create attractive, safe, and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods; and
   - Social Renewal – to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
3. Media enquires to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496. Out of hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.