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The Childcare Partnership directs resources from a number of funding initiatives at the areas identified as being most in need of assistance. It has direct control over the Early Years Development Fund and makes decisions on how The Childhood Fund is distributed.
Early Years Development Fund
This is an annual fund made available by the DHSS&PS to support the
work of the Partnership in taking forward the Partnership's Childcare
Plan. The majority of the funding is directed towards staffing costs,
but from time to time the Partnership runs a small grant scheme. Further
details on the Fund can be found in the Third Annual Review of the Childcare
Plan, which can be found on the publications
page.
This year the Early Years Development Fund was used to purchase the following resources which were distributed to childcare providers:
- NIPPA’s publication ‘Child’s Play’ which was distributed to 226 Early Years groups
- 12 boxes of Feelings – a resource pack for pre-school groups distributed to groups in the Causeway Area.
Peace II
Childhood Fund
The European Union’s Programme for Peace and Reconciliation was
established in 1995 with the aim of reinforcing progress towards a peaceful
and stable society and promoting reconciliation. The first round of funding
(Peace I) was administered through the Childhood Fund from 1995 –
1999. It supported the revenue and capital costs of community based early
years services and promoted quality through training programmes and aimed
to combat educational underachievement, poverty and social exclusion.
The second round of funding from 2000 – 2006 (Peace II) built on the success of Peace I by sustaining childcare places already supported through the Programme as well as supporting provision for 0-3 year olds and their parents, children with special needs and those from an ethnic minority background. It also promoted quality through training and accreditation schemes. Both Peace I and Peace II targeted those groups situated in or serving the most disadvantaged areas as identified by deprivation indices.
Peace II has awarded over £2 million of funding to 60 projects in the Northern Health & Social Services Board area. All of the Childhood Fund’s Peace II monies are now fully committed.
DHSS&PS Consolidation Fund
This year the Partnership targeted £337,737 from the DHSS&PS Consolidation Fund to childcare groups in its area. The Fund was established to help sustain groups who were formerly funded through PEACE II.
Small Grants Scheme
This year the Partnership ran a small grants scheme to improve access to natural spaces for children in voluntary and community childcare groups. A total of £43,656 was paid out to 28 childcare groups. Details of the project can be found in the Third Annual Review of the Childcare Plan, which can be found on the publications page.
Big
Lottery Fund
The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out half the money for good causes raised by the National Lottery. Their funding covers health, education, environment and charitable purposes. Current Programmes include the Young People’s Fund, Reaching Communities NI and Active Lifestyles.
For more information, visit their site at
www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Pre-School Education Expansion Programme
The Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme for Government outlined the ultimate objective of one year of pre-school education for every child whose parents wish it by March 2003. The Department of Education provided funded places in a range of settings in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors in order to meet the target of 90% pre-school provision.
The Pre-School Education Expansion Programme was established in each Education and Library Board with planning and implementation carried out at local level by the Pre-School Education Advisory Group (PEAG). Membership of the PEAG includes representatives from the statutory, voluntary and private sectors and is chaired by a member of the Education and Library Board.
The Pre-School Education Expansion Programme ended in 2003 and applications from new providers who wish to join the Programme can be considered in areas where there is a shortfall in pre-school provision and where existing funded pre-school places are surplus to the requirements of existing providers.
Groups wishing to become part of the Pre-School Education Programme should contact the appropriate Education and Library Board for information:
North-Eastern Education and Library Board (For those living in Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Cookstown, Larne, Moyle, Newtownabbey District Council Areas) Contact: Schools Branch |
| Southern Education and
Library Board (For those living in Cookstown District Council Area) Contact: Pre-school Education Helpline |
Social Services Early Years Teams
Grant Aid for Community and Voluntary constituted cross-community groups.
An application has to be made to the Early Years Teams and it is paid
on a yearly basis. Please contact your local Early Years Senior Social
Worker and they will advise you of the criteria and procedure.
| Mrs Bernie Brown, Ballymena/Antrim Area Tel: 028 2564 1207 Mrs Jo Quinn, Magherafelt/Cookstown
Area |
Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland
The
overall policy of the Trustees is to support underfunded charities which
enable people, especially disadvantaged or disabled people, to play a
fuller role in the community.
The Foundation has three main objectives to which it seeks to allocate funds:
- Social and Community Needs
- Education and Training
- Scientific and Medical Research
For further information contact:
Sinead Tierney – Grants Assessor
Joanne Mitchell - Administrative Officer
Tel: 028 9038 2864
Fax: 028 9038 2839
E-mail: info@lloydstsbfoundationni.org
