An additional £900,000 will be available as part of the Pathway Fund budget so that all 169 eligible applicants can receive an award this year.
The Fund is administered by Early Years – The Organisation for Young Children (EYO) and prioritises support to children facing disadvantage who are at risk underachieving in education.
This year £3.85m will be available to enable 169 settings to continue supporting around 8,000 children.
Announcing the extra funding during a visit to Ladybirds Childcare in Bangor, Education Minister Peter Weir said:
“It is widely recognised that the early years of a child’s life are some of the most important in terms of their development.
“Investment at this stage can have a significant and lasting impact on raising educational standards and narrowing gaps which will help them achievement later in life.”
Continuing the Minister said that evidence shows that children facing disadvantage have been impacted most during the COVID pandemic.
He said: “That is why I have decided to significantly increase (by over 30%) the budget for the Pathway Fund in the year ahead as I know many families and communities striving to recover from the impact of the Pandemic, rely on the support it provides.
“The overall Pathway funding of £3.85m will help to sustain the sector and support approximately 8,000 children by enabling 169 settings to continue delivering their vital services in 2021/22 - 43 of these, as a direct result of the increase in funding I am announcing today.”
Welcoming the funding, Pauline Walmsley, Chief Executive of EYO said:
“Early Years welcomes this announcement by Minister Weir. This funding ensures that local services can meet the needs of children and families in their community focusing on their physical and emotional well-being and eagerness to learn. The funding ensures sustainable services focused on children reaching their full potential. We look forward to working with the settings and the Department of Education to deliver this funding as quickly as possible.”
Notes to editors:
- Pathway funding is awarded to early years settings to deliver projects which support the development of children (aged 0-4) who are at risk of educational underachievement. The Fund prioritises support to children living in areas of disadvantage or with limited provision, and children with additional needs or who are at risk of harm. Pathway also promotes services which will enhance integration from an early age.
- The Pathway Fund is open to application from all facilitators or registered providers of early years education.
- The Fund is administered by Early Years – the Organisation for Young Children (EYO). In addition to administering the Pathway projects, EYO also supports the settings in governance and sustainability matters.
- In 2020/21 the Pathway Fund (£2.94m) provided vital support to around 8,000 children.
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