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.
What this matters
The earliest years of life play a critical role in shaping long-term outcomes for children, families and communities.
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.
Supporting these spaces helps strengthen confidence, encourage participation and create the conditions for more equal outcomes over time.
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.