County Derry playgroup opens up about financial challenges and how standards are high and getting better

The local playgroup in Feeny says that childcare faces plenty of challenges right now but it remains committed to providing the very best care for all its children.

Cutting-edge training from Early Years – the organisation for young children helps build and maintain the highest standards.

All childcare in Northern Ireland faces significant challenges including high staff turnover, affordability for parents and it can be tricky to access services in some parts of Northern Ireland.

The Minister of Education recently launched a number of new initiatives that bring hope to providers and parents. However, one key aspect of the system is working well – standards are excellent, and getting better.

A child’s first few years are critical for their later social, emotional, health and educational development. Local organisations are able to access world-leading training that is based on cutting-edge research from around the globe, provided by Early Years – the organisation for young children.

This can improve the work of any childcare setting, with a massive impact on all the children who spend time there.

Discussing training they received from Early Years, Natalie McCloskey from Banagher Community Playgroup in Feeny, said: “Ours is a small, rural, cross community playgroup situated in the village of Feeny. We have three members of staff and offer pre-school education for up to 24 children each year. We have a smaller intake this year of 15 children which has been lovely as it has been my first year in the setting so it has been a lovely way to settle in.

“Childcare and childcare settings are facing a number of challenges right now. One is the inadequate funding available. Although, our children’s places are funded, we have to do a lot of fundraising ourselves to maintain the high standard of pre-school education.

“I took on the role of playgroup Leader in September 2023 after a 12-year career as a primary school teacher. The majority of my teaching experience was upper primary, and Early Years have been so valuable in the range of courses they offer.

“This year I took part in a new leaders course that was invaluable to me in my new role, I was able to ask questions, seek advice and share my practice with others. I would highly recommend this to future new leaders within the early years sector.”

Early Years is a membership organisation that offers comprehensive training to all early learning and care settings across NI that is tailored to the needs of each provider.

Whether they are nurseries, playgroups or daycares, and whether they have a general focus or specialise in children with specific needs, Early Years can offer bespoke training to build and maintain top class child care and development.

Audrey Rainey,  Director of Services from Early Years, said: “The first few years of a child’s life are crucial. They have a huge impact on someone’s life – making sure children develop socially and emotionally is crucial. This means that playgroups, nurseries, daycares and other childcare settings play an important role in society. Early Years is proud to help with that.

“Our members are early learning and care providers that make sure children are immersed in active learning. Early Years supports that with a wide range of training, programmes and professional learning events that continue our drive to improve practice in the sector.

“As a society, we need to ensure that there is significant investment in improving the outcomes for our children and their families in the earliest period of a child’s life. We are delighted to support our members who do this work every day.”