£200,000 Makeover brings joy to Sunshine Playgroup - Morrow

Date published: 27 January 2016

Social Development Minister, Lord Morrow MLA, has visited the Sunshine Playgroup in Currie Primary School to see how a £200,000 makeover has transformed the facility.

Social Development Minister, Lord Morrow MLA joined Laura Stewart, Playgroup Leader and children Sophie Cooper and Coleton Cowan during a visit to Currie School’s Sunshine Playgroup

Department for Social Development funding of £197,835 has provided a new top quality facility for the pre-school Playgroup. The old school basement has been extensively renovated and is now a purpose-built centre, separate from the rest of the school, with a bright new playroom.

Minister Morrow said: “I welcome the opportunity to visit Currie Primary School in North Belfast to see for myself the invaluable services offered by the Sunshine Playgroup and am delighted that this refurbishment has given such a boost to everyone involved.

“Supporting and nurturing a child in their early years, when they experience their most rapid development, is vitally important, especially as evidence suggests that many social problems have their roots in children not being given the right type of support in their earliest years. This new facility will help the Sunshine Playgroup to continue to deliver valuable support to the children and families in the area."

The Minister added: “I know that all of those involved in this project have worked tirelessly and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the teachers, children and parents and to wish all at the Sunshine Playgroup well in their superb new centre.”

Chairperson of the Sunshine Playgroup and Principal of Currie Primary School, Mrs Ashleigh Galway, said: “We are delighted with the refurbished facilities for Sunshine Playgroup. During the past five years Currie Primary has grown significantly and we are extremely grateful to DSD for supporting the newly refurbished facility. The children will benefit from their own bespoke facilities in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment. Our hope is that Sunshine Playgroup will support local children to get the best start in life and become an important part of the community for years to come."

Notes to editors: 

1. Funding for the playgroup facility was provided by Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy and was delivered by the Education Authority, Belfast. The old school basement has been extensively renovated and is now a purpose-built centre with its own private, secure entrance for parents and children. The new centre is separate from the rest of the school and has a bright new playroom for the children, bespoke toilet facilities, a storeroom and a side room for parent consultations.

2. The Department’s strategic objectives of community, social and economic renewal aim to improve the quality of life for people in some of our most deprived neighbourhoods.

3. For media enquiries please contact the DSD Press Office on 028 9082 9476 or email press.office@dsdni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.

4. Photos from the Minister's visit can be viewed later at the DSD Flickr page.

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