The ongoing work of Donegal Sports Partnership has been commended by the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Frank Feighan.
Minister Feighnan, who has responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy, was speaking during a visit to Kiddlywinks Childcare based at Ballintra Community Centre on Monday afternoon.
The local pre-school children demonstrated the skills they’ve developed through participating in the FUN Moves and Balanceability programmes which are both funded by Healthy Ireland.
FUN Moves aims to develop and improve fundamental movement skills while providing regular sport and physical activity in a fun, safe and encouraging environment.
Balanceability is a specially-designed programme to teach children aged between three and six years the skills to learn to ride a pedal bike.
Minister of State at the Department of Health, Frank Feighan with Lorraine Breslin from Kiddlywinks Childcare and one of the children who took part in Monday’s display of skills.
Minister Feighan said: “It’s great to see all the stakeholders working together on programmes such as the ones we are seeing today which are teaching young children how to cycle a pedal bike.”
“I’m aware of the importance of these types of programmes because I have a five-year-old and a two-year-old myself. Because of Covid, their schools weren’t open.
He added:”For the parents, we didn’t have the skills to teach young children how to ride a bike during that period. We would like to see everyone being able to cycle safely.
“And as we know, cycling is good for people’s health and also helps the environment. Teaching safe cycling should be part of the curriculum, and while I think we have made huge inroads, I think a lot more needs to be done in that regard.”
Denise Gallagher, Kiddlywinks Childcare Manager, getting one of the children ready for Monday’s display of skills.
Also speaking at Monday’s demonstration, Denise Gallagher, facility manager, said: “On behalf of the Kiddlywinks staff, children and parents, we thank Minister and the Department of Health and Well Being for the opportunity to participate in the FUN Moves and Balancability Programmes.
“We found both programmes very beneficial to the health and well-being of the children. We thank Healthy Ireland for funding both programmes, and Donegal Sports Partnership and their tutors for the delivery and facilitation of the programmes. We had a very positive experience throughout the training.”
“We also thank Donegal Sports Partnership for the beautiful resources – this equipment has been a great asset to our service and we have enjoyed using it with the children. Finally, I’d like to thank my staff, children and parents for taking part in the programme. We all enjoyed it,” she added.
Lorraine Breslin from Kiddlywinks Childcare getting the children organised for Monday’s display of skills.
Lorraine Breslin, one of two staff members who are qualified to train other members to deliver the programmes, talked about the positive impact the programmes are having.
“We had a girl today who started cycling for the first time which was great and that brings the number on the current programme up to five,” she said.
“To see the children progress to the stage where they can cycle without the stabilisers brightens up their day and brightens up our day. It’s a very rewarding job. The children can take what they learn here and apply that at home with their own bike, and talk to their parents about what they’ve done here at the centre.”
Some of the children pictured at the skills display Kiddlywinks Childcare in Ballintra.
Donegal Sports Partnership’s Community Development Officer, Karen Guthrie, who assisted in delivering the programmes, said she was delighted to welcome Minister Feighan to Donegal.
Karen said: “It was great to have the Minister here in Donegal to see the initiatives in action and meet the people who are central in making them happen. The programme has been a huge success, and we are grateful to all the preschool providers – seven in total – who embraced the programme and brought it to life within their facility.
“The boys and girls did excellent today and it’s so pleasing to see the programme has been sustained and embedded within their daily schedule. The strength and success of this particular programme are exposing children to fundamental movement skills each day and enhancing the capacity of their preschool leaders is key,” she added.
Karen Guthrie, Donegal Sports Partnership’s Community Development Officer, and Minister of State at the Department of Health, Frank Feighan, having a chat with one of the children during the display of skills in Ballintra on Monday.
Minister of State at the Department of Health, Frank Feighan, talking to children from Kiddlywinks Childcare at Ballintra Community Centre.