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Rainbow Corner, a voluntary preschool operating since 1979 out of Deramore Orange Hall in Moira, County Down, is facing an uncertain future due to the need to relocate. The current landlord, Deramore Community Group, informed the nursery that it must vacate the premises by June 30, 2027, as the hall will no longer be available for long-term lease due to other planned activities. Despite having almost four years before closure, the preschool committee has found it increasingly difficult to secure alternative premises within a five-mile radius, prompting concerns that the nursery may have to shut down.
The challenge of finding a new venue has caused significant stress among the staff at Rainbow Corner, where teacher Alison Toole described the situation as a constant worry about job security. Unlike statutory preschools managed by the Education Authority (EA), voluntary nurseries like Rainbow Corner are responsible for sourcing their own accommodation. Toole highlighted that many potential community spaces such as church and community halls are already committed to other uses, leaving limited options for groups like theirs. She emphasised how vital the current space is, praising the indoor facilities and outdoor garden, and acknowledged how unsettling it would be for children if they lost access to these resources.
Parents have also expressed deep concern about the impact of a potential closure. Daniella Mediondo de Lima, whose children have attended or will attend Rainbow Corner, described feeling “heartbroken” and worried about the lack of available spaces in other local preschools, which are frequently oversubscribed. Similarly, Laura Coney, a parent whose daughter was born prematurely, spoke passionately about the exceptional care provided at Rainbow Corner and the importance of its convenient location. She emphasized how close proximity allows families to choose greener, safer ways to travel to nursery, such as walking or scooting, which benefits the local community.
The landlord, Deramore Community Group, stated that they had given more notice than legally required and continue to support the nursery’s efforts to find a new home. They also pledged to explore alternative venues within the village and surrounding areas. However, Stephen Rankin, a parent of a child at the preschool, stressed that if relocation is possible, the nursery must remain within Moira to meet the increasing demand caused by ongoing housing developments. With nearly a third of pre-primary children in Northern Ireland attending voluntary nurseries, the closure of one like Rainbow Corner would have wider implications for early years education in the area
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