A terrific time celebrating Tempo Community Preschool

Discussing the history of the preschool, to date, a spokesperson for Tempo Community Preschool said: “The preschool was initially started when a group of local parents saw the need for an Early Years provision in the Tempo area.

“With the help of Social Services, the original playgroup opened in the old school building, but moved in 1989 to the current premises in the Tempo Development Association building at The Diamond.”

She added:” It had become an integral part of the community by this stage, with great relationships with both St. Mary’s PS Tempo, and Tempo Controlled School, and taking part in special occasions such as Tempo Fair Day alongside both schools.

“In 2000, Tempo Playgroup was awarded the remit of providing funded preschool places by the Education Authority, and became Tempo Community Preschool.

“Such was the demand for the preschool, that staff ran two sessions to accommodate all the local children – something they still do today.

“In 2016, they were awarded the top grade in providing preschool education, and the then leader, Georgina Johnston, was invited to receive [the award] at Stormont from [then] Education Minister Peter Weir.”

With so much support for the preschool and how it has served so many families across the area, there was a great turnout for the day.

Festivities started with a sponsored pedal/cycle/push by the current pupils and their friends.

The children were delighted by a guest appearance from ‘The Bogmen’, winners of the BBC programme, ‘The Fast and the Farmerish’.

A raffle also took place, with prizes generously donated by Lidl NI, Glenpark Estate, Dowler’s Ltd. Lisnaskea, Johnny Rockos, Fivemiletown College and Community Youth Annexe, amongst others.

The day was hailed as a great success by the preschool and locals alike, whose happy faces here show what a popular event it was for the Tempo community.