Department of Education protects funding for vulnerable children and young people

The Department of Education has announced it is not proceeding with proposed cuts to Youth Services and a range of Early Years programmes including the Pathway Fund, Sure Start, Bright Start and Toybox. In addition the Department is not proceeding with the full scale of proposed cuts to Extended Schools.

Early Years warmly welcome the announcement from the Department of Education today to continue funding early years provision through the Pathway Fund and Toybox project for 2023/24.

As Lead and Accountable body for 7 Sure Starts across NI, Early Years also want to acknowledge the continued commitment and investment from DE for these vital multidisciplinary services.

Indeed, this intervention will ensure that the most disadvantaged children within our society continue to receive opportunities that will improve their educational outcomes. 

EDUCATION PERMANENT SECRETARY DR MARK BROWNE SAID:

“The Department’s vision for all children is that they will be happy, learning and succeeding.  Delivering on this is particularly challenging in the current budgetary context, especially in terms of addressing the needs of our most disadvantaged children and young people.  We know that early intervention, especially for our most vulnerable, is critical for development, improving learning outcomes and supporting longer term societal benefits.

 Accordingly, having carefully considered all of the principles in the Secretary of State’s decision-making guidance, I am not cutting funding to Youth services and a range of Early Years programmes including the Pathway Fund, Sure Start, Bright Start and Toybox.  In addition, I am not proceeding with the full scale of proposed cuts to Extended Schools.”

EARLY YEARS CEO, PAULINE WALMSLEY NOTED:

“Retaining funding for the Pathway Fund and Toybox programmes is essential to ensure that the quality infrastructure within our Early Years eco system is protected through times of immense strain in public finances.  With the Department acknowledging the importance of early learning provision for the most disadvantaged, this will help ensure that the sector has sound footing in preparation for the implementation and delivery of a new childcare strategy in the near future.“

 Pauline also noted the fantastic work undertaken by all settings through their #SaveThePathwayFund and #SaveTheToyboxProject campaigns.  “These campaigns were led in an incredibly positive and respectful way by all settings and proves that collaboration between, and within, communities is a powerful advocate for all children within our society. Indeed, this campaign has put sharp focus on the vital role and expertise of the local community, voluntary and independent settings in the early stages of a child's educational journey.”

NOTES:

Early Years is the largest organisation in Northern Ireland working with and for young children. We are a non-profit making organisation and have been working since 1965 to promote high quality childcare for children aged 0-18 and their families.

 The Pathway Fund is a £3.7 million programme to improve the development of children who are at risk of not reaching their full educational potential, and develop an enhanced, more sustainable Early Years sector.  More information can be found at here.

 Toybox is a £356,000  programme aimed at improving the long-term outcomes for Traveller children and their families).  More information can be found here.

 The Sure Start programme delivers targeted Early Years support to children aged 0-3 years in (at least) the 25% most disadvantaged area in NI.