NURSERY 'CRISIS'

Parents in the village, who have been unable to secure nursery places for their children, feel let down by the education system.

They feel the Department of Education’s refusal for a new nursery at Waringstown Primary School has led to the pre-school problem.

The school’s plan for a 52-place pre-school unit was turned down two years ago.

The crisis in Waringstown comes to light in the same week Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has approved a new nursery class at St Francis’ Primary School in Lurgan.

Alison Cunningham and her husband John live on the Clare Road in Waringstown. They’ve been unable to secure a nursery place for their three and half year old daughter Sophie.

Alison, a teacher by profession, commented: “We’ve both paid our taxes. We’ve more than paid for a place.

“I spend all day every day educating other people’s children and can’t get my own into the education system. It’s a real kick in the teeth.”

For full story see page 5.