Nursery World - Extended schools funding is welcomed

Early years practitioners in Northern Ireland have welcomed funds of 61m to develop extended schools and expand early years and Sure Start services in disadvantaged areas. Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain said that schools should become 'social hubs in communities'.

Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain said that schools should become 'social hubs in communities'.

The package includes 20m given direct to schools for before- and after-school activities.

There is also 10.8m for Sure Start, 5.6m to help children in care, 4m for child protection, 3.5m for counselling services and 12.5m for services for children with special needs and disabilities. In addition, 14.6m will go to community voluntary groups to assist their work with disadvantaged children.

Acting Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Barney McNeany, welcomed the plans but said, 'There still remains a disparity between what children and young people receive in Northern Ireland and what is available to children in the rest of the UK.'

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