What future for Fermanagh playgroups?

New research on Fermanagh playgroups shows the importance of their role for promoting cross community contact and the need for action to maintain their services for the future.

The report, Securing the Future for Voluntary and Community Playgroups in Fermanagh, was compiled by the Fermanagh Trust based on 20 playgroups in County Fermanagh.

As well as finding that playgroups are places where parents and children work and play together, the report shows that there are difficulties because of variances in the administration of the pre-school expansion programme under the Western Education and Library Board.

"Cross community playgroups demand they are treated equitably by the education authorities in relation to the allocation of resources, and this report clearly outlines how this has not happened,” explained Lauri McCusker, director of the Fermanagh Trust.

Options

The report outlines a number of strategic options to ensure that playgroups can continue to provide a safe environment for children.

“Playgroups have been the bedrock of cross community contact in Fermanagh over recent decades, playing a vital social and economic role in many communities. The groups sustain over 60 jobs and 20 training placement opportunities." said Mr McCusker.

Also speaking at the launch of the report, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, chief executive officer of NIPPA, said, “NIPPA welcomes the publication of this timely and important report. For a long time we have been aware of the difficulties the playgroup sector in Fermanagh have been facing.

"We look forward to working with the Fermanagh Trust and Fermanagh Early Year’s Forum to implement the recommendation outlined within the report, and as a result sustain the strong vibrant cross community early years sector in Fermanagh”.