Kids Are Lottery Winners

A multi-million pound Lottery scheme has transformed vital childcare facilities across Northern Ireland and allowed hundreds of parents to return to training and employment.

According to evaluation published by the Big Lottery Fund, the National Lottery Good Cause distributor's Building Quality Childcare programme has also increased employment and training opportunities in some of Northern Ireland's most disadvantaged communities.

Building Quality Childcare has pumped more than £5 million into transforming 89 innovative childcare projects across Northern Ireland ranging from state-of-the art family centres, outdoor play areas and facilities for children with disabilities.

The evaluation reveals that the programme has provided support to hundreds of families across Northern Ireland allowing children to develop new skills while parents and carers have been able to access training and employment.

The Lottery cash has transformed many rundown childcare projects into state-of-the-art facilities and in many cases childcare provision has more than doubled. The evaluation also highlights that more than 80% of projects interviewed revealed that the pre-school schemes had helped prepare children for starting school.

For example, a grant of £280,000 allowed Oasis Caring in Action to create a centre that has transformed childcare in one of Northern Ireland's most deprived communities.

"Before the funding we operated the childcare from one hall which wasn't really suitable. We spent most of the grant upgrading it, as well as building a secure outdoor play space - a rarity in this area," said Early Years Manager Kaana Gordon.

"Now we can offer day care for 17 children from birth to three and our after-schools capacity has more than doubled from 24 to 56. All this has made a huge difference to the lives of the families. Most of them live and work locally and couldn't afford public transport costs to take their children to day care outside the area.

A grant of £70,000 has also enabled charity SENSE to extend its premises and increase the number of families it can help.

The Newtownabbey-based voluntary organisation provides support for children and young people who are deaf and blind or have other sensory impairments and local mum Alison Huey said the centre has provided vital support for her daughter Jane.

Breidge Gadd, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair said: "The Building Quality Childcare programme has increased childcare places by investing in much needed buildings and play facilities. This evaluation highlights how National Lottery funding is supporting communities to make a real difference to the lives of parents and children across Northern Ireland."

(BMcC)