Foster addresses international Early Years Conference

First Minister Arlene Foster has addressed the Early Years 50th Anniversary International Conference today in the Lough Erne Resort, Fermanagh.

The aim of the conference entitled '50 years of Ambition for Young People', was attended by parents and those who work with young people, offers learning experiences that will provide a platform to look forward to some of the challenges and opportunities for the next 50 years.

Opening the conference, the First Minister Arlene Foster said: “I applaud the Early Years Organisation for the important role it has played in Northern Ireland over the past 50 years to provide high quality early years education and learning experiences.

 “We want our children to grow to have ambition, to have goals, to have dreams and a sense of purpose and we must provide the right environment for them to do so.

 “The Early Years Organisation continues to work hard to instil ambition within our young children in those important first few years of a child’s life at a time when access to high quality childcare is vital.

 “I believe strongly there should be ‘no child left behind’ when it comes to education, and it is important that this mantra underpins everything we do in terms of nurturing young people in Northern Ireland.

 “The School Age Childcare Grant Scheme, launched by the Northern Ireland Executive, has supported more than 3,200 school age childcare places.  We hope to build on that and I look forward to the final version of the Childcare Strategy this year.”

Notes to editors: 

Media enquiries about this press release to the Executive Office Press Office on 028 9037 8283, or out of office hours contact to Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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