Dozens miss out on nursery school places

Dozens miss out on nursery school places

20 May 2015

HUNDREDS of local parents have responded to a campaign to widen nursery provision in Downpatrick after dozens of children were once again denied places.

The campaign was launched by local mums Tracey McDowell and Anna McSherry who were shocked to learn their children have not been allocated a nursery school place for September.

Both parents were disappointed to receive letters last week saying their applications for a nursery school place were unsuccessful.

They are among hundreds of equally disappointed parents from the Downpatrick area who have responded to their online campaign to encourage the government to tackle the dearth of nursery places.

Tracey was shocked when 130 people immediately joined a Facebook page she established to secure more nursery places in the town, while Anna was similarly surprised when a petition she launched independently attracted over 300 signatures.

They believe the huge response to their fledgling campaigns shows the level of disappointment experienced by parents on their children’s behalf when they are not allocated a place.

Although a second round of allocations will be made through a clearance system at the end of the month, they predict this is unlikely to change the outcome.

Tracey says she was “flabbergasted” to learn her second child Conal had not been granted any place.

“Because he has a summer birthday, we felt he was ready for a nursery place,” she explains.

“I am a teacher and value nursery education and was confident he would get a place in one of the nurseries.

“I was so disappointed to hear that would not be the case, but I have since realised this is one of the worst years for demand in a long time.

“The amount of feedback I have received through the nursery places Facebook campaign shows how many others are affected.

“I had heard of this happening a few years ago, although not quite as badly as this in the Downpatrick area. This shows the crisis over nursery school places is not going away. 

“The government needs to look at the facilities in Downpatrick and to recognise there are not enough nursery places.”

Anna McSherry said she was stunned by the response to her petition, which she felt compelled to launch after disappointing news that her daughter Evalyn had not been granted any of the three nursery schools places for which she had applied.

Although she has been offered a part-time pre-school place, she says she believes her summer-born daughter is ready for a greater challenge.

“Evalyn is almost four and is currently in a playgroup. She is very capable and bright and needs a greater challenge in her school day – she needs more than two-and-a-half hours a day in a school environment,” she said.

“She would thrive and benefit greatly from a place in a structured teacher-led nursery school environment with increased hours. 

“I think its very unfair that only a select amount of children get a nursery school place and the system is failing a lot of children. 

“There should be increased nursery school places available so that all children get a chance at having a nursery education. 

“Evalyn never had a chance of getting into any of the local nursery schools. The criteria in all schools was against her. 

“I heard of many stories similar to my own. It is clear this is an issue affecting many and unless things change will continue to impact on the education of future generations of children.”

The principals of Downpatrick’s three nursery schools have confirmed the demand for places continues to be 

high with Mrs Anne Gormley, from St. Colmcille’s Nursery School, revealing that 20-25 

children are typically turned away.

“Investment is needed in the sector but these are difficult times and there is no money. We have to be realistic,” she said.

Mrs. Lorna Burns, principal of Downpatrick Nursery School, said her school is also oversubscribed.

“We go by our criteria and unfortunately every year there are those at the bottom of the list,” she said.

“It is disappointing for us because we do not like to turn anybody away. We know it is terribly disappointing for the parents who see the school on our open day and hope their children will get a place.

“There are many parents who realise the benefits of a nursery school place and who would like their children to be in a teacher-led nursery. That is their preferred choice and that is where the disappointment lies.”

Sinead Donoghue, from the Convent of Mercy Nursery School, said all first preference applicants were this year granted a place although others were left disappointed.

“It comes down to the criteria and on our open night we tried to guide people to look at this criteria, which begins with those on benefits and those who live in the parish,” she explained.

“We do what we can to ensure places for local families but it is disappointing when people have to be turned away.”