Minister offers hope for Little Stars pre-schoool

Minister offers hope for Little Stars pre-schoool

7 May 2025

STORMONT Education Minister Paul Givan has offered a glimmer of hope to a Killyleagh pre-school under threat of closure due to a funding crisis.

The cross-community Little Stars group – located at St Mary’s Primary School – has had its funding axed and staff have been handed their redundancy notices.

Stormont budget cuts have reduced much-needed cash to the Pathway Fund which provides key finance to both Little Stars and other pre-school playgroups across the district which provide children with much-needed support for their crucial development in early years.

Little Stars currently has 38 children with 25 enrolled to start at the end of the summer, but if funding isn’t secured, there will be no places for them.

Last night, local politicians backed a notice of motion calling on Mr Givan and the Education Authority to provide the cash the Killyleagh pre-school and others across the district require to remain in business.

The motion was tabled by Rowallane councillor Terry Andrews at Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s monthly meeting.

In a letter to councillors ahead of the meeting, Mr Givan explained Pathway Funding was administered on behalf of his department by Early Years, the organisation for young children which is responsible for examining applications and awarding funding.

The minister said the increased level of demand for the Pathway Fund and his plans to expand it meant there was insufficient money within his department’s opening resource allocation to fund all eligible applications.

He said he had sought Executive approval to enhance the Pathway Fund budget, explaining the current available fund had been allocated to eligible pre-schools in ranked order based on criteria.

“While Little Stars met all eligibility requirements to receive an award, available funding was expended before reaching their score on the ranked list,” Mr Givan explained.

“If the Executive agrees to my proposals, I will be in a position to fund a further cohort of Pathway applications, including Little Stars. A decision on this is expected within the next few weeks.”

Cllr Andrews said he hoped the funding Little Stars requires will be made available.

“The pre-school was informed in March that the funding it required would be available but everything changed a few weeks later,” he said.

“This was a blow to Little Stars, staff and parents, but there is now a glimmer of hope that the vital funding the pre-school requires will be available.

“Little Stars is fighting to keep going until the end of the school term and I am with them every step of the way,” he continued.

“The pre-school caters for children from across a wide area and it’s essential it continues to deliver a much-needed and highly valued service.”

Cllr Andrews said investment to provide children with much-needed support for their development in early years was “absolutely essential”, with Little Stars and other pre-schools “at the heart of communities across the district”.

He continued: “They play an invaluable role, but need funding to survive.

“Every year, pre-school groups have to apply for financial support and it’s time they were assured of ring-fenced funding to remove clouds of uncertainty when it comes to funding.”

Cllr Andrews said while there was pressure on budgets across Stormont departments, investment in young children in their crucial developing years was money well spent.

“Those who work in pre-schools play significantly important roles in children’s development and deserve the financial backing they require. Pre-school staff are invaluable,” he said.

“Playgroups should not have to make annual bids for funding nor be left to organise fundraisers to literally keep the doors open. They deserve better.”