Over the past year, Clady Tiny Tots has been on a difficult journey to secure our future. Following notice from Environmental Health that our mobile unit was deemed unfit for purpose, we were required to vacate and relocate at very short notice. Since then, our committee has explored every available option to ensure we could continue providing early years education for children aged 2–4 in our local area.

Despite extensive lobbying efforts, no capital support has been made available to us from either the Department of Education or the Education Authority. Faced with that reality, we took professional advice and developed the most feasible and sustainable solution available to us within a very tight timeframe, which is to refurbish our existing unit to a safe, long‑term standard.

We are delighted to share that we have secured £20,000 from Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council’s Large Capital Grant Programme, which we believe is a significant vote of confidence in the work we have done and the plan we have put in place. However, we must match fund it, meaning we now need to raise a further £20,000 to complete the renovation.

While refurbishment may seem like a significant level of investment, the cost of a new mobile unit far exceeds both our available funding and what is achievable for our small voluntary committee. Having explored all viable options, refurbishment is the most practical solution to ensure the preschool can reopen safely within the necessary timeframe.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we are not starting from scratch. Over the past year, local families, individuals and businesses have donated to our cause, and we are so grateful to everyone who has contributed so far. Every event, donation and gesture of support has brought us closer to this point.

We have also reached a major milestone with our refurbishment works having officially begun. If we can close the remaining funding gap, we are hopeful of moving back into our refurbished unit in time for the new academic year.

We would also like to note our sincere thanks to Clady Community Hall and Clady GFC for providing us with temporary premises. Without their support, we would not have been able to open our doors this year. Once our refurbishment is complete, the hall will once again be fully available to the many community groups who depend on it throughout the year.

We are very proud of how far we have come without any statutory capital support, and we are only reaching out now because we are genuinely at the final stage. Any contribution, no matter the size, will go directly towards completing the works, securing the future of Clady Tiny Tots, and returning vital community space back to full use.

For over 30 years, Clady Tiny Tots has supported generations of local families, with many former pupils now parents themselves. Completing this refurbishment will help ensure that this legacy continues while protecting preschool provision in our rural community.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and for supporting us in whatever way you can.