Taoiseach Brian Cowen officially opened Ferbane's Community Childcare Centre, 'Bright Beginnings' on Saturday, September 20.

Present at the Official Opening were the local voluntary management group, parents, children that avail of the service, local elected representatives, local community members and representatives of organisations that supported the project to date.

The Ferbane Community Childcare Group was established in 2002, by the Ferbane Development Group to explore the childcare needs identified in the town's five year plan.

The group's aim was to provide quality affordable childcare to cater for local needs. The group is a local voluntary community group and are very grateful for the support received from An Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD; Deputy Olywn Enright; local elected representatives: Eamon Dooley, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Connie Hanniffy and Tom Feighery; Aine Brummell, Offaly County Childcare Committee; Declan Costello, West Offaly Partnership; Offaly County Council with planning and site purchase and the Midland Health Board/HSE preschool, environmental health and community services.

The Community Childcare Group was successful in their application for a Capital Grant of €1.1 million from the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme.

Ferbane Development Group also supported the project with capital funding from their very successful fundraising venture. Construction started on the project in 2005 and Bright Beginnings opened in October 2006. The support and expertise of architect John Cross and builder Kieran O'Connor were also acknowledged.

Fr Michael Murray and Fr Pierre Pepper blessed the building and said prayers for the children that avail of and the staff that work in the childcare facility.

An Taoiseach then proceeded to cut the ribbon and officially declared 'Bright Beginnings' open. Children availing of services in the childcare centre presented An Taoiseach with a framed picture that they had created themselves.

MISSION STATEMENT
“Ferbane Community Childcare Centre, working with parents and the local community, endeavours to provide quality, affordable childcare in response to the needs of Parents in the local community”.