McCausland announces funding boost for Ballymena Child Care

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of over £14,000 for Ballee Child Care Services in Ballymena.
~ Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Ballee Child Care Services provides a pre-school play group with 48 daily places. They also provide an out of schools club accommodating 24 children daily and a summer scheme accommodating children on both a part day and full day basis. The Departmental funding will provide:

• salaries for one full time member of staff for pre-school day care and
• salaries for three part time staff for the after schools club.

Nelson McCausland said: “This is good news for children, families and the wider community in the Ballymena Neighbourhood Renewal Area. The project will help
children by developing the quality and coverage of pre-school and after-school childcare provision in area, which is known to make an important contribution to giving children the best possible start in life. The project will also provide valuable support for families and parents, some of whom may now be able to take up job opportunities in the knowledge that there is good quality affordable childcare available. The project will also help the wider community, since projects which help children are often the catalysts for creating a more socially inclusive, empowered and sustainable community infrastructure.

“It is important to ensure that people of all ages are supported through Neighbourhood Renewal initiatives. By contributing to this project my Department is demonstrating its commitment to improving the quality of life for people living in the Ballymena area.”

The overall aim of Ballee Child Care Services is to provide a caring and nurturing environment where local children can engage in personal, social, emotional and physical education at the earliest stage. It also allows parents to return to employment or take advantage of education and training opportunities.

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 9078. Out of hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.