Official Opening of Newry Early Years Centre

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Junior Minister Jennifer McCann MLA has officially opened the Newry Early Years Children and Family Centre. The opening marked a new chapter in the history of Orana Children and Family Centre with Early Years – the organisation for young children managing and leading the centre into a bright new future.

Speaking at the event, OFMDFM Junior Minister Jennifer McCann commented: “There can be no doubt that our children are given a better start in life if they have experienced quality childcare services. The Newry Early Years and Family Centre is an excellent example of how providers can make a real difference to the lives of our children by focusing on their development.

Junior Minister Jennifer McCann pictured at the Newry Early Years Children and Family Centre pictured with Early Years CEO Siobhan Fitzpatrick and children from Newry Early Years Children and Family Centre, to mark the official launch of the Centre under the management of the Early Years organisation. Photograph: Press Eye

“The Executive aims to support low cost, high quality childcare and I am pleased to say the Centre is one of the beneficiaries of our Bright Start School Age Childcare Grant Scheme. The Centre’s provision is for 72 childcare places including places for children with a disability and it has funding of nearly £38,000 under Bright Start to support 24 after school places. This is an exciting time for the Centre and I wish them well as they continue to improve the lives of local children in providing top quality childcare.”

Siobhan Fitzpatrick CBE, Chief Executive Officer of Early Years paid tribute to The Trustees (Sisters of Mercy), Orana Board of Directors and staff for their innovative thinking in terms of the future direction of the Centre. Commenting she said “Early Years is thrilled to open the Newry Early Years Children and Family Centre which has undergone a transformation over the last year and now offers a range of services underpinned by the evidence based HighScope model”.

“Building on the commitment already made by some staff on the site to HighScope, for the first time on the island of Ireland there is an example of a fully integrated daycare, preschool, afterschool and Sure Start service which in time will become an Accredited Centre of Excellence and offer opportunities for training placements and research”.

“For children and families in the Newry and Mourne area, the Centre offers a high quality service tailored to individual needs”.