Weir launches new out of school childcare in Bangor

Date published: 24 January 2017

Speaking at the launch at YMCA North Down, Minister Weir said:

“These 16 new affordable school age childcare places will help the parents and children who most need them. YMCA North Down will receive more than £50,000 in funding over the next 3 years including start-up costs, to help its new childcare provision to develop and move towards sustainability.”

Bright Start is a flagship initiative under the first phase of the Childcare Strategy. Since its launch in 2014, the Bright Start School Age Childcare Grant Scheme has financially supported more than 3,000 high quality, low cost school age childcare places. To date, Bright Start has allocated some £5.6 million to enable key school age childcare services (breakfast clubs, after school clubs and summer schemes) either to be set up or, where already established, to keep operating in often challenging financial circumstances.

Congratulating YMCA North Down on their initiative Minister Weir said:

“High quality childcare services provide a stimulating, developmental experience. They give children a strong start in life, helping them to do better at school and beyond. I welcome the entrepreneurial actions taken by YMCA North Down in participating in the Bright Start grant scheme and I am pleased to declare this new childcare facility formally open.”