Robbie Meredith reports that parents in County Down are reeling from the potential closure of Little Stars pre-school, calling it “absolutely devastating.” The Department of Education has acknowledged that “pathway funding” for early years settings falls short by almost £3m of what is required. Due to the lack of funding for the upcoming year, Little Stars, which currently accommodates 38 children in two daily sessions, is at risk of shutting down, leaving parents and children in limbo as they face uncertainty about the future of the pre-school.
Karen McCormick, a leader at Little Stars, expressed her dismay at the situation, stating that she and her staff are passionate about their jobs and the positive impact the pre-school has on children. The closure of the pre-school would not only result in potential job losses for staff but also have a significant effect on the children who have benefited from their services. Parents like Antoinette Quigley, whose twins attended Little Stars, have seen firsthand the progress their children have made with the support of the pre-school and fear the impact of its closure on the local community in Killyleagh.
Nicola Evans, another parent whose daughter is enrolled at Little Stars for the upcoming year, expressed her devastation at the potential closure, noting that there are no available spaces elsewhere for her daughter. As the pre-school’s reputation for quality education is widely recognized, the closure would not only affect individual families but also have broader implications for the Killyleagh community. The demand for Pathway funding exceeds the available budget, leaving Little Stars and potentially other pre-schools in a precarious position as they wait for decisions on future funding to be made by the Department of Education and the Early Years Organisation
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