Cash crisis could close pre-school

Cash crisis could close pre-school

16 April 2025

THE future of a Killyleagh pre-school is hanging by a thread 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 across the district.

Staff were informed last Friday that money has run out, but they are fighting a rearguard action and fundraising to keep the doors open until the end of June.

And they hope political support can pave the way for the pre-school to have the finance it needs in place to guarantee the doors will open for the new term in September.

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.

Playgroup leader Karen McCormick said the playgroup was informed in March it was getting finance but had to wait on the Stormont cash coming through.

But an email last Friday changed all that.

She explained the finance was allocated on a points system with the Little Stars missing out.

“We filled in a application form and this year the funding allocation for pre-school groups increased by £10,000 to £40,000. We had been getting £30,000 and that was enough to keep our doors open,” she explained.

“We were hoping that we would get £40,000 as there has been no increase in funding in over a decade. We believed an additional £10,000 would have really helped us meet our additional costs, but last Friday we were told there is no money for us.”

Ms McCormick said Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan had pledged to support the Pathway Fund. 

“At the moment we really don’t know what is going to happen. Early Years have told us that there is no money for us and a number of other pre-school groups. We just don’t know what is going to happen,” said the dejected leader.

“We are waiting to see if money will be allocated to the Pathway Fund by the Department of Education.”

Ms McCormick said new funding for Little Stars should have been in place at the start of this month.

“We do not get money for paid places and no financial support from the Education Board, now the Pathway funding has been pulled we literally don’t have an extra money coming in,” she said.

“We are fighting to keep going until the end of the school term and are going to have to fundraise like mad and ask for support from our parents and local community. Every penny we now bring in will have to pay staff wages.

“We will do all we can to stay open until the end of June and keep campaigning so we can open in September and the money we need to do this will be there.”

Little Stars opened eight years ago and each month children from the playgroup visit Beechvale nursing home in Killinchy to play games and make crafts with residents and also sing to them. 

Ms McCormick said if new funding isn’t secured this will also end.

After fighting off a closure threat two years ago, the playgroup leader said everyone associated with Little Stars is upset that it’s facing a similar situation again.

“We have four staff including myself and we don’t know what the future holds. I informed staff what was happening Monday morning and had to issue redundancy notices which is something no one wants to do,” she said.

“But we hope we can secure the funding we need to keep the doors open until the end of June and be in a position to open again for the new term in September.”

Ms McCormick said parents were also informed on Monday about the funding crisis and were “absolutely devastated”.

“We have children from a wide catchment area and they will miss out. I’m really deflated and this is soul destroying for us all, but we intend to keep fighting and do all that we can, with the support of others, to stay open.

“Through no fault of our own, we find ourselves in a really scary position but we are determined to keep going. But we need help to keep the doors open until the end of June,” she said.

Ms McCormick added: “We aim 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. We want to stay open and hope it happens for the sake of the children.”

Strangford MLA Nick Mathison, who visited the Killyleagh pre-school yesterday morning, said it’s “completely unacceptable” it has been left yet again with no certainty over its funding from the Department of Education. 

“Not only does it place the amazing services they offer to the youngest children in Killyleagh in jeopardy, but it leaves their dedicated team of staff in a position where they are worrying about their jobs and financial security,” he said.

“The Education Minister talks about early intervention and investing in Early Years. It is therefore baffling that he has not prioritised investment in the Pathway Fund that these settings rely on.”

Mr Mathison added: “Promises that money may come later in the year are not enough —community settings like Little Stars need the support now.”