Contract signed for new childcare facility on Before 5 site in Churchfield

Public procurement is to begin this month on the former Before 5 childcare facility in Churchfield, the board of Northside Community Enterprises CLG (NCE) has said.

NCE announced the signing of a contract for funding from the Department of Children, which will enable the delivery of a full-time childcare service in the Churchfield area, to be named “NCE Little Hands Churchfield, Childcare and Early Education Centre.” 

Over 100 children lost their preschool place when the Before 5 facility suddenly closed in August 2023, and following more than a year of uncertainty, NCE confirmed in October last year that the Department of Children has approved funding to carry out refurbishment works required to reopen the facility.

The project involves significant renovation and upgrades to the premises, both inside and out, to ensure a high-quality childcare service for the local community. All necessary preparatory work and planning have been completed, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

The Public Procurement process for the renovation and upgrade works will commence in May 2025, with an NCE spokesperson saying: “Stakeholders are committed to completing the extensive works as quickly as possible, with the aim of opening on a phased basis as early as possible in 2026.” 

Fr John O’Donovan, Chairperson of NCE Board of Management, said: “I would like to sincerely thank the Department of Children Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the provision of Capital Funding and for their ongoing support. I would also like to acknowledge Pobal, Cork City Childcare and the many public representatives who have worked tirelessly to make this project possible.” 

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central Padraig O’Sullivan, said: “I’m delighted with the news that the Before 5 funding has finally been allocated.

“It's something which was a long time coming but may I pay tribute to all the team at the NCE for sticking with it, and going forward ensuring that the facility will have a more diverse offering of childcare provision for the wider community.” His party colleague, councillor for the north west ward, Tony Fitzgerald, told The Echo that the project “is in great hands”.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted that NCE have signed a contract with the Department, this is a huge commitment from the government. I want to pay tribute to the board and staff of NCE for their attention to detail in the proposals and plans, and I look forward to contractors coming on site and to this opening as quickly as possible.” 

Sinn Féin councillor for the ward Kenneth Collins said: “This is great news for the community – as a former student of Before 5 myself, I want to commend the former staff, the parents of the children attending before the closure for coming together and the campaigning they have done.”