Quality and accessible childcare vital for working families – O’Neill and Little-Pengelly

The importance of good quality and accessible childcare was highlighted by the First and deputy First Minister during a visit to the Ashton Community Trust and Shankill Women’s Centre today.

First Minister MIchelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly chatting to children attending Shankill Women's Centre childcare facility.

Both settings are social enterprises offering childcare facilities for parents living and working in their areas –Kinderkids Daycare in the Ashton Community Trust and Small Wonders Daycare & Afterschool Club in the Shankill Women’s Centre

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:

“Access to high-quality and affordable childcare is a top priority for the Executive and I am committed to ensuring we deliver this for all working parents.

“The childcare facilities offered by Ashton and the Shankill Women’s Centre are fantastic.  It is great to see the positive impact they have on the local community and especially for working parents and those looking to return to work or in education. 

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said:

“I understand the pressures facing families when it comes to accessing affordable, quality childcare. I am focused on ensuring the Executive delivers a childcare strategy that puts the needs of working families front and centre.

“Facilities like the ones we have visited today are the backbone of communities and it is important we do all we can to ensure they can meet the needs of local families.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Ashton Community Trust provides quality childcare through its social enterprise Kinderkids Daycare.  Kinderkids provides childcare to support parents who are working, in training and education or require childcare support.
2. Small Wonders Childcare is owned by Shankill Women’s Centre.  It is a social economy business set-up to provide high quality state-of-the-art childcare for parents living and working in the Greater Shankill area and beyond. 

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