Our Work > Early Years Provision
Supporting children, families and early years provision
Working alongside communities to strengthen early years support and opportunity
We work alongside communities, organisations and partners to strengthen early years provision across the North West and North Coast of Northern Ireland. By supporting children and families in the earliest stages of life, we help create the foundations for long-term wellbeing, confidence and opportunity — strengthening communities now and for the future.
Why this matters
Education Is a Gateway — But Too Many Are Being Left Behind We’ve invested in schools, supported learning through a pandemic, and championed early years provision. But the job isn’t done. Closing the gap for the most disadvantaged young people remains one of our most urgent priorities.
Across the region, many families and communities face challenges linked to disadvantage, access and capacity. Early years settings often provide trusted, local spaces where children and families can connect, learn and grow.
The Society has always had a deep commitment to education maintaining founder links with primary schools in County Derry/Londonderry; supporting the University of Ulster’s Step-Up programme for disadvantaged pupils as well as medical students; and providing bursaries for students at the North West Regional College. Investing in the earliest years of life is how we create the conditions for a more equal and prosperous society.
Targeting support in this way will support improved outcomes for children and families across the life course.
What we support
We support community-based early years activity that helps children, families and communities thrive.
- This includes:
- strengthening early years provision in local settings
- supporting families to access welcoming, trusted spaces
- building confidence, skills and participation
- supporting organisations to develop capacity and sustain their work
This work is shaped by local needs and delivered in partnership with communities and organisations across the region.
How we contribute
Our role is to support and enable the work of others — strengthening collaboration and helping connect resources and opportunity.
This includes providing grant funding to support community-led early years activity, alongside wider work to strengthen partnerships, share knowledge and support long-term development.
Through our connections with the City of London, we can also support relationships and opportunities that benefit organisations and communities working in early years provision across the region.
What this leads to
By supporting early years provision and community-led activity, this work contributes to:
- improved confidence, wellbeing and development for children
- stronger support networks for families
- more inclusive participation in community life
- increased capacity and resilience within local organisations
- stronger, more connected communities over time
These outcomes are built gradually, through sustained support, partnership and shared effort.
Access funding
We provide grant funding to support early years activity across the North West and North Coast.
Our funding is designed to support community-led provision, strengthen organisations and create meaningful opportunities for children and families.
Apply for funding
Growing Together Programme
By investing in people, organisations and partnerships, the programme contributes to a more resilient, connected and effective early years sector — supporting better outcomes for children and families now and in the future.
For groups working with children aged 0–5 across County Londonderry. We can help with new equipment, building improvements, training for your team, or trying something new – whatever helps you give children a good start.