Not long after opening its doors, the Poppintree Early Education Centre was experiencing difficulties. The problems were not of its making but, left unchecked, could have threatened the longer-term survival of this high quality community service.
The Poppintree Centre is an amalgamation of four existing community childcare services in Ballymun, north Dublin, which decided to pool talents and resources when some older premises were demolished as part of a regeneration programme.
The new, improved service began operations in February 2010. It provides a childcare service for parents engaged in training, further education or who are reentering the workforce.
As such, it provides a vital bridge back into work, supporting parents who choose to upskill, or avail of job opportunities.
Too often the absence of such crucial services locks people into unemployment, even though they desperately want to work.
The Poppintree Centre caters for over 70 children aged from four months to five years. It also employs 15 staff, a key consideration in a time of record unemployment.
However resource problems dogged the centre from day one, with demand outstripping capacity and official funders underestimating the level of support required.
The Centre cut costs where it could and restructured services where possible.
But long-term financing was clearly required and an application was made to Clann Credo.
The project was assessed and found to be viable, whilst also delivering major benefits to the local community.
Location: Balbutcher Lane, Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin
Website:
https://www.childcare.ie/ireland/dublin-11/creche-montessori/poppintree-early-education
"Too often the absence of such crucial services locks people into unemployment, even though they desperately want to work."