'We are very much committed': Additional funding required to reopen childcare facility in Churchfield

ADDITIONAL funding streams will be required to secure the reopening of the facility formerly known as the Before 5 Family Centre on the northside of Cork city with an enhanced range of services in an upgraded building.

The childcare facility on Churchfield Hill closed with immediate effect last August, citing reasons for the decision including “financial challenges, changes in regulations, operational challenges, and recruitment issues”.

Following this closure, Northside Community Enterprises (NCE) began exploring the possibility of resuming a childcare service at the location. It also hopes to establish additional community services. However, NCE says it is still in the process of raising the funding to allow the necessary building works to commence to allow the centre to reopen.

A proposal seen by The Echo has been sent to the offices of several ministers in a bid to secure funding. NCE said it has completed a conditional survey of the building and engaged with Ger McEvoy Project Management Limited “to develop a scope of works that would bring the facility in line with current fire and planning regulations as well as minor upgrades to improve the functionality and enhance service provision”.

NCE’s vision, the proposal states, is to provide “high-quality childcare for families in the area on a full day care basis as well as an adult disability service, play therapy, and adult education”.

It said it is willing to invest in the project “but cannot cover all the costs alone”.

“We are currently covering ongoing essential costs and work completed to date,” it stated. “We are very much committed to this is project, but we cannot achieve the goals we have for ourselves and the community without other investment from other sources.”

NCE said it is exploring private funding opportunities, as well as engaging with all local organisations “to share information and explore all possible funding opportunities” in addition to speaking with local public representatives and looking at possible grant funding.

Fianna Fáil councillor Tony Fitzgerald said he welcomed the “detailed report” from NCE.

“I want to thank NCE for their professionalism and commitment to this project and I have written to the [Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman] to seek an urgent meeting to discuss the proposal,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement PBP-Solidarity TD Mick Barry and his colleague councillor Brian McCarthy appealed to the ministers contacted by NCE to “act quickly”.

Both said parents on the northside “will feel a sharp sense of disappointment that funding has yet to be secured to reopen a childcare facility at the site of the old Before 5 centre”.