New grants for parent and toddler groups in Westmeath

New funding through Westmeath Childcare Committee is being made available to Parent and Toddler Groups in Westmeath. This follows the launch of the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative by Roderic O'Gorman TD, Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth. The Longford-Westmeath Green Party has welcomed this new initiative and is encouraging groups to make an application.

The grants Initiative will help parent and toddler groups to establish and operate Buggy Walking Groups, provide additional sessions for existing groups, fund toys, books, storage, training for parents, and activities for children such as arts and crafts.

Welcoming the news, Cllr Hazel Smyth said:

“This funding will be invaluable to Parent and Toddler Groups in Westmeath, and for those who are looking to set up a new group. The Green Party is committed to transforming supports for early years in Ireland and this announcement. This is part of a wider number of initiatives that this government is developing to support families and young children and comes on the back of the recent roll-out of the ‘First 5 My Little Library’ free book bag in Westmeath with books and resources for every 4 and 5 year old going to school in September.”

Commenting on the launch of the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2022, Minister O’Gorman stated;

“The last two years has been challenging for all of us, not least for children and their parents. I hope this Initiative will encourage the development of new Parent and Toddler Groups, as well as support the continuation and expansion of existing Groups. Parent and Toddler Groups provide a great meeting place for parents/guardians with young children to relax and chat together in a supportive environment while their children play. I am delighted to be able to support them”.

City/County Childcare Committees support and assist families and childcare providers with childcare matters at local county level. They are a Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth-funded support and are located nationwide. More information and contact details can be found here.