Pre-schools hit by funding fears

Pre-schools hit by funding fears

3 May 2023

A NUMBER of pre-school play groups across the district fear for their future as the financial crisis in the education sector strengthens its grip.

Concern is mounting that crucial early years funding that the groups rely on will cease at the end of June, with no guarantee that the doors will open again when the new term begins in September.

Playgroups in Killyleagh, Downpatrick and Saul rely heavily on support from the Pathway Fund which was established to boost the development of children up to four years old.

With financial backing for vital pre-school support due to end in a few weeks’ time, there is mounting concern that some playgroups could close, with highly valued staff losing their jobs as there will simply be no money to cover the cost of their wages.

A petition has been launched by the Early Years organisation, which administers the Pathway fund on behalf of the Department of Education, calling on the Secretary of State to ensure adequate funds are made available to continue supporting children.

Province-wide, axing the Pathway fund will result in 10,000 children across almost 200 communities losing out on early years support and the jobs of 500 staff placed at risk.

Karen McCormick — leader of Killyleagh’s Little Stars pre-school playgroup — described the loss of Pathway funding as a “devastating blow” to children and their families.

She said the loss of the vital funding will also mean that nurseries may have to raise their prices in order to stay open, which will add further financial pressures on families and could potentially stop parents from working due to the lack of childcare.

Pre-schools and staff want to provide the best quality early learning experiences for children which would stop if the Pathway Fund closes, something which Ms McCormick hopes can be avoided, given the highly damaging implications for young children.

“Little Ones has been going for six and a half years and we have 38 places which are always full. We run morning and afternoon sessions and have four members of staff,” she explained.

“The playgroup leader said funding has to be applied for on a yearly basis and revealed news that the financial support could end was confirmed during a meeting with Early Years representatives last week.

“We have been told that because the Northern Ireland Executive is not sitting, the Education Board’s grant has been cut which has already impacted on a number of key school services. The pre-school playgroup is now the latest casualty,” continued Ms McCormick.

“We have been told that at this point there is no funding for September with the current financial support stopping at the end of June, unless there is a government in place.” 

The playgroup leader said it was initially feared that funding would run out this month, but it is to be extended until the end of June.

She continued: “If we lose our funding, we are going to have to increase our fees but have no idea at this moment in time what that could be, but it will have an impact on parents in what are difficult times given the current economic climate and cost of living crisis.

“We are fighting a rearguard action against closure and trying to get additional funding in place. We are aiming to remain open and will do everything we can to ensure that happens. The budget situation is having a major impact on not just us, but other pre-schools in the area.”

Ms McCormick said local politicians have weighed in with their support and are fully behind efforts to ensure all of the district’s pre-school groups which rely on Pathway funding remain open.

“The Pathway Fund has been essential in sustaining crucial early years education and learning and the loss of funding places the future of pre-schools in jeopardy,” she continued.

“Many of the children coming to our pre-school need this vital support as they are Covid children who were isolated from others for so long during the pandemic. Coming here was the first time that some ever had a chance to play with another child before. It feels like these budget cuts are designed to punish our children and it is breaking my heart.”

The Department of Education said its budget allocation has been “extremely challenging” and confirmed that an interim allocation of funding for The Pathway Fund has been made until the end June.

“The Department has now received its budget allocation for 2023-24 from the Northern Ireland Office and is working through the detail. The allocation is extremely challenging and may require significant reductions across a wide range of areas to remain within budget,” said a spokesperson.

“In recent years, the Pathway Fund has benefited from £2.3m Confidence and Supply monies (annually) which has now come to an end.”

The spokesperson said to sustain important Early Years services over the next three months, the Department has made an interim allocation of funding of £1.05m in respect of the Pathway Fund until the end of next month.

“The Department will confirm the final Pathway Fund allocation following consideration of the education budget,” the spokesperson added.