PLANNING permission has been granted for a new €1.5 million childcare facility within a kilometre of Bantry town centre.

‘It is a good news story for Bantry,’ according to Mary Andrews, the manager of the existing Rainbow Childcare facility at Millbrook in Seskin.

With work on the 475sqm facility due to commence on March 1st, Mary said the new purpose-built facility will allow them to move from their rented premises to Milleencoola, off the Glengarriff Road, and more than triple their childcare capacity.

‘At present, we can only cater for 20 children, but when the new creche at Milleencoola is finalised by the end of 2026 we will be able to care for 66 children,’ she added.

Rainbow Childcare is a community initiative and a registered charity that is run by a voluntary management group and a board of five directors.

The team at Rainbow Childcare Mary, Aida O’Brien, Carrie O'Driscoll, Aoife Aitken, Leah Barry and Joan McCarthy together with little ones Hunter, Lochlainn, Finn, Croiadh and Aoibheann.

Currently, Rainbow Childcare has two full-time and four part-time staff, but Mary said they are building a team and hope to have 11 members of staff in the new premises.

‘We have been in operation since 1999 and saving with this in mind,’ said Mary, who confirmed that they have around €300,000 in funds, plus the €750,000 granted by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

‘That leaves a shortfall of between €450,000 and €500,000 that will have to be raised through various fundraising initiatives, as well as a loan,’ said the manager.

‘It is a lot of money, but this project has been a long time coming, and will have long-term benefits for Bantry town and its community,’ she added.

‘I believe it is a tangible investment in Bantry’s future because it will support young families and ensure the town remains a vibrant and sustainable place in which to live and work.’

Like most childcare facilities, Rainbow Childcare currently has a waiting list. ‘People are crying out for child care facilities,’ said Mary. ‘The nearest childcare facilities, as opposed to preschools, is in Kealkil, Ballydehob and Caheragh.

While there may be many preschools, Rainbow Childcare is a full day child care service that can cater for babies under one year. In the new centre, parents can avail of the Government’s free pre-school Early Childhood Care in Education scheme, as well as the National Childcare Scheme.

The community facility is hoping to sign the construction contract with a local building firm, which will also be a boost to the local economy.

Once completed, Mary said: ‘This community project will be offering an affordable and flexible facility that will allow more parents to remain in the workplace, or take up training opportunities.