Nursery World - Omagh Integrated Nursery

* One of the first integrated nurseries to open was in Omagh. Set up 13 years ago, it is the only integrated nursery in the town, and takes in about 26 children. Omagh is the largest town in County Tyrone with a population of about 20,000. Around two-thirds of the population is Catholic and one-third Protestant. Both the nursery and the school have an approximately equal number of Protestants and Catholics.

Omagh is the largest town in County Tyrone with a population of about 20,000. Around two-thirds of the population is Catholic and one-third Protestant. Both the nursery and the school have an approximately equal number of Protestants and Catholics.

The main problem has been obtaining finance. Eric Bullick, the headteacher of the school, recalls the problems in the early days. 'During the first few years we were often in financial difficulties,' he says. 'Many times we would hit death's door, only to be saved just in the nick of time. Small grants, the Ireland Fund, beneficiaries from abroad, even sponsored rubber duck races all kept us going until in our tenth year we started to receive funding.'

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