Edenderry school benefits from AIB funding

Special needs children with autism who attend St. Conleth"s Early Intervention Preschool, Carbury, are now able to further develop their sensory processing skills through new swimming and sensory activity programmes, thanks to funding of €10,000 from AIB Edenderry. The funding, awarded under the AIB Better Ireland Programme, has allowed the school to provide swimming classes for the children and to purchase new sensory equipment. St. Conleth"s Early Intervention Pre-school for children with Autism offers an autism specific learning environment, catering for children aged between 3 and 5 years. They aim to offer a positive, meaningful, educational experience, which allows the children to develop to their full potential in a calm, relaxing environment. The development of communication and social skills are regarded as paramount at the pre-school and the primary emphasis is placed on building a trusting relationship between staff and children through play. Una Dempsey, Teacher, St, Conleth"s Early Intervention Preschool, commented: 'Thanks to the funding from the AIB Better Ireland Programme, we are now able to purchase new multi-sensory equipment and provide swimming classes, which help to improve the children"s communication and motor skills. The classes also provide the children with the opportunity to socialise and interact in activities that are both rewarding and fun.' Speaking on a visit to the pre-school, Phil Carey, Assistant Manager, AIB Edenderry said: 'We would like to congratulate St. Conleth"s Early Intervention Pre-school for organising these new swimming classes and play equipment for the special needs children that attend. It"s great to see at first hand how AIB"s funding of €10,000 is being used, and what a positive impact it is having on the children from the area. At AIB Edenderry, we"re delighted to be supporting this worthwhile local project, which is one of the 185 projects supported nationwide by the AIB Better Ireland Programme in 2008.'