Work to start on unused family centre on Cork's northside

Refurbishment works are set to begin next month at the site of a northside childcare facility which closed abruptly two years ago, leaving 14 staff without jobs and more than 100 families in the area without childcare.

The Before 5 Family Centre in Churchfield, which closed suddenly in August 2023, had provided pre-school childcare on the northside for five decades, as well as a homework club and adult classes.

The centre employed 14 people, some of whom had worked there for more than 20 years.

The operators of the childcare facility cited as reasons for closing “financial challenges, changes in regulations, operational challenges, and recruitment issues”.

After the closure, Northside Community Enterprises (NCE) began exploring possibly resuming a childcare service at the location.

Last October, NCE confirmed the Department of Children had approved funding for refurbishment works required prior to the reopening of the facility, to be renamed NCE Little Hands Churchfield, Childcare and Early Education Centre, and it was said at the time that it would reopen “later in 2025”.

The public procurement process only began in May, and NCE has now announced that site works will begin in mid-October.

Fr John O’Donovan, chair of the NCE board of management, said the board wished to “reaffirm our intention to open the service on a phased basis as early as possible in 2026”.

“NCE Little Hands has proudly served as a trusted childcare provider in Cork city for the past 31 years, located initially in Sunbeam and now in Farranferris,” he said.

“Throughout this time, we have remained deeply committed to supporting children and families within our community.”

Fr O’Donovan said a contractor had been appointed and building works are set to commence mid-October.

“This development of Little Hands Childcare facility to a second location in Churchfield marks an important step in expanding our capacity to meet the childcare needs of local families,” said Fr O’Donovan.

Kenneth Collins, Sinn Féin city councillor for the north-west ward, said it was very positive news that the works were about to commence.

“I will be contacting NCE myself to find out if the facility will be up and running by September of next year, or before,” said Mr Collins.

“As a former student of Before 5, I can tell you it’s the heart of the community and it’s something that is always needed within the area of Gurranabraher, Churchfield, Knocknaheeny, and Farranree.”

Tony Fitzgerald, Fianna Fáil councillor for the north-west ward, and former lord mayor of Cork, said he was delighted that the refurbishment process could now commence.