One of the Mid West Region’s largest community crèches was officially opened in Ennis, County Clare, this evening.

Operated by the Clare Family Resource Centre, the EUR1.5 million state-of-the-art facility provides part/full time day care and sessional places for up to 85 children aged 4 months to 9 years.  The Mayor of Ennis Councillor Peter Considine officially opened the crèche.  Bishop of Killaloe Dr. Willie Walsh, the Mayor of Clare Councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn, representatives of the HSE and the Clare County Childcare Committee also attended the ceremony.

The opening ceremony coincided with Clare County Council’s announcement that it has nominated Clare Family Resource Centre to coordinate Ennis’s involvement in the 2009 Pride of Place competition.  The County Capital is one of five local participants in the prestigious all-island competition.

Maureen Keane, Manager, Clare Family Resource Centre, said the Council’s announcement underlined the important contribution made by the crèche to the local community.   She said: “The aim of providing this facility is to support and assist families and children in Clare through the provision of accessible affordable high quality childcare.  Our new centre allows us to offer more childcare places and meet the growing needs of our local community.”

“The population of Ennis has increased greatly over the past decade with further significant increases predicted over the coming years. Therefore, it is necessary to upgrade the town’s existing infrastructure, including the provision of additional childcare places.  Childcare is one of the most important jobs that society has and we must continue to invest in this sector for the sake of future generations” explained Ms. Keane.

Located on the Watery Road on a site purchased from the local authority in 2007, the 5000 sq. ft centre is covered under the Government’s Community Childcare Subvention Scheme, which assists social welfare recipients, the unemployed and those on low incomes with sourcing affordable childcare services.  The crèche, constructed by K & D Whelan Construction Limited of Newhall, features a range of childcare facilities including a Baby Room, a Multi Sensory Room for children with special needs, Waddler Room, Toddler Room, Montessori Room and Hi Scope Room. The crèche is complemented by a large outside play area.

Ms. Keane noted that a voluntary board of sponsors comprising parents and members of the local community managed the community childcare centre.  “We believe this approach has affected the process of empowerment of parents particularly in parenting skills raising confidence and self esteem, which open pathways of opportunity in education and community involvement” she stated.

Ms. Keane added: “Our ethos is to provide an environment that is warm safe and friendly and which supports and encourages children to be themselves and to grow and develop and reach their own potential at their own pace.  We provide a choice of stimulating resources and materials to promote the children’s learning and development.”

Commenting on the new facility, Mr. Peter Sheehy, CFRC Board Chairperson, said: “The Board are delighted that all the hard work over the last two years has culminated in a purpose built, state-of-the-art facility for families in Clare. The Board would like to pay tribute to the dedication of Manager Maureen Keane and her hard working colleagues.”

The Clare Family Resource Centre was established in 1994 by two pioneering parents, who recognised the need for affordable childcare to help mothers get back into education or the workforce. The CFRC was also the first community crèche facility in the County.  The CFRC is funded and supported by various organisations including the Office of the Minister for Children, Pobal, Clare County Childcare Committee, HSE and FAS. The Office of the Minister for Children has provided funding of EUR1 million for the new centre.

For more on the Family Resource Centre, Clonroad Business Park, Clonroad, Ennis, County Clare, call 065-6823923 or email cfrc@eircom.net.

-ENDS-

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900

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