Community loan for Aghada Community Playgroup

The search for a new home led this community-based childcare facility on a journey to improve accessibility and integration for children with physical and mental disabilities.

 

While Aghada parish is dispersed across several small villages and townlands in Cork Harbour, the Community Playgroup has become a focal point for young families has almost tripled in size since opening in 2003.

 

Running four daily childcare sessions, Aghada Community Playgroup provides family support through the provision of affordable childcare. This group has considerable experience catering for children with Spina Bifida, Severe Speech and Language Delay, Autism, Hydrocephalus, Dyspraxia, Deafness and Downs Syndrome and is recognised as a centre of excellence by The Irish Wheelchair Association, Cope Foundation and Enable Ireland.

 

A much-needed extension to the local primary school meant that the playgroup required a new home, and plans commenced for the construction of a specially-designed inclusive pre-school facility on a new site purchased in the village.

 

The lack of any other childcare facilities in the area gave this project a sense of urgency and priority that was recognised by Clann Credo when approached to finance this project.

 

Clann Credo worked closely with the staff and volunteers, enabling them to secure the necessary funds before their deadline and open the doors on their new accessible facility for the 2015 autumn term.