Killyleagh Early Years Partnership

Killyleagh Early Years Partnership is a project between the Playgroup and the Parent/Toddler group and facilitates cross-community interaction from an early age.

The two groups merged in 1997 and in September 1999 secured access to the newly built Bridge Community Centre. This neutral venue encourages children to mix in a safe environment. Children can move on from the Parent/Toddler group to the Playgroup without feeling frightened by a new group.

The partnership offers integrated pre-school education to under 4's and encourages cross-community involvement by operating in the neutral community centre and adhering to the equal opportunities policy for users, staff and committee members.

The partnership places a strong emphasis on the quality of their staff. All members of staff are vetted and have received first aid training. They have also completed Highscope training, and individuals have gained their NVQ levels 2 and 3.

The project benefits pre-school children who will gain social skills as well as being educated. Parents/Carers will be able to interact with other parents/carers, as well as their own children and help overcome rural isolation.

Cross Community interaction is encouraged from a very early age, and is especially reinforced in the parents/toddler's group who are required to be involved with their children. These two groups feed the three separate Primary school, Controlled Maintained and Integrated with neither preference nor prejudice. The equality policies are regularly reviewed for content and to see that they are properly carried out. They encourage equality of treatment and value for all the children, which is especially helpful to those with special needs.

The partnership is funded by the Childhood Fund, SEELB, BBC Children in Need, Lloyds TSB, Down Lisburn Trust, and the Community Fund.

Parent / Toddler Group

The Parent/Toddler Group meet three mornings a week. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings between 9.30am and 11.30am. We have a large variety of equipment to suit all ages and cater for 0-4 years.

At the Parent/Toddler group all of the children and parents, are welcomed on an "open door" policy. The children play and learn together and in do doing develop friendships which will carry on into later life. The parents, especially those in the Parent/Toddler group are presented with the same opportunities. At present we have 65 children enrolled in the parent/toddler group.

If you would like to see our group in action come along and have a cup of tea/coffee and a chat with the leaders and see for yourself what is on offer for your children.