Lottery cash transforms childcare in Newtownards estate

A Newtownards childcare project has been transformed thanks to a cash injection from the Big Lottery Fund.

Little Doves Community Playgroup secured grants totalling £172,091 to create vital childcare places on the West Winds estate and to develop state-of-the-art premises.

The group has used the lottery cash to buy a new modular building in the West Winds estate and to develop breakfast and after-schools clubs offering good quality, affordable childcare to even more families in the area.

Some of the lottery cash was used to create 68 childcare places for local families. This figure comprises 24 after school, 20 before school and 24 holiday places for children aged three to 14. The group was also awarded a grant of £15,000 from the Eastern Childcare Partnership.

Playgroup manager Margaret Cameron said the project had made a major difference to the lives of many local families. “We have been trying to encourage people to get back to work,” Ms Cameron said. “There are day care facilities in town but that is quite a way from here. There are a lot of new private houses built on either side of the estate and young families who have moved in are also looking for childcare.

“This is an area of high deprivation but people are starting to put money into the area. A lot is happening at the moment and I feel that in 10 years time this will be a better place to live.”

Breidge Gadd, the Big Lottery Fund’s NI Board Member, added: “This grant demonstrates the Fund’s commitment to working with local communities to support the creation of quality childcare places by investing in new and existing buildings.

“I am delighted that the Big Lottery Fund has been able to support Little Doves Community Playgroup as the encouragement and fun offered to children and the peace of mind which this project represents to their parents and carers is of vital support to local people.”

(MB/SP)