Education Minister Paul Givan opened a new Rainbow Sure Start facility in Belleek, Fermanagh, yesterday. The premises will provide additional early years services to the rural area.

The facility includes a dedicated developmental programme for young children. It supports early learning in Belleek and the Boa area.

Sure Start programmes address local community needs. They assist parents and carers as first educators and aim to improve children's educational outcomes.

Givan stated that every child deserves the best start in life regardless of background. He noted the positive impact of the services on families in the Rainbow Sure Start area based on discussions with parents and carers.

The minister linked quality early years learning to better educational results later. He recognised the work of Sure Start staff in preparing children for pre-school and primary education.