A Buzz of Excitement: Minister Paul Givan MLA Visits to Launch ‘The Beehive’ Afterschools Programme

3 September 2025 – It was a day of immense pride and excitement at Ladybirds Early Years Programme as we welcomed a very special guest: Paul Givan MLA, Minister for Education, to our setting.

The Minister’s visit was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the vibrant, nurturing learning environment we provide for our youngest children and to mark a significant expansion of our services with the official launch of our new Afterschools Programme, ‘The Beehive’.

A Tour of Our Learning Journey

Minister Givan embarked on a full tour, witnessing firsthand the dedicated care and tailored education we offer at each crucial stage of early childhood development.

He began in our Baby Programme (0-2), where he observed our gentle, sensory-rich approach. He saw how our dedicated practitioners build security and early development through nurturing interactions, play, and exploration in a safe and stimulating space.

The tour moved on to our Smarties Group (2-3), where the energy and creativity were palpable. The Minister enjoyed seeing our toddlers engaged in playful activities designed to build their confidence, communication skills, and independence through structured play and social interaction.

Finally, he visited our Pre-School room (3-4), where the focus is on school readiness. He saw our children enthusiastically participating in more structured group activities, developing the key literacy, numeracy, and social skills that provide a smooth transition to primary education.

Launching ‘The Beehive’ Afterschools Programme

The highlight of the visit was the official launch of ‘The Beehive’, our brand-new afterschools programme. This exciting addition provides a safe, fun, and engaging environment for school-aged children, offering homework support, creative arts, physical play, and relaxing downtime.

Minister Givan met some of the children who will be joining The Beehive declared the programme officially open.

Speaking during his visit, Minister Paul Givan said:

“It has been a pleasure to visit Ladybirds today and to see the exceptional early years provision in action. The dedication of the team to nurturing children’s development from infancy through to pre-school is truly commendable. I am also delighted to launch ‘The Beehive’ afterschool club, which will provide a wonderful and much-needed service for local families. This is a fantastic example of a community-focused setting providing high-quality care and education.”

A Day to Remember

We are incredibly grateful to Minister Givan for taking the time to visit us, engage with our children and staff, and show his support for the vital work done in the early years sector. The visit was a wonderful celebration of our entire Ladybirds community—our incredible children, our dedicated staff, and the supportive families who make it all possible.

The buzz from this memorable day will certainly continue as we look forward to welcoming children into our exciting new Beehive!

Interested in a place for your child at Ladybirds or The Beehive Afterschools Programme?[Contact the team on 02891093039] to learn more and schedule a visit.

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