Newbridge Parents Encouraged To Join Transformative Home-Visit Programme

Wednesday, 28 May 2025 15:11

By Martin Osborne

A major study conducted by University College Dublin has found that children who participated in the programme were 29% more likely to aspire to third-level education compared to those who did not receive the same support.

Children in Newbridge are among those set to benefit from a pioneering early intervention parenting programme that has been credited with delivering major improvements in education, health, and family wellbeing.

The Preparing for Life programme - originally launched in Darndale, Dublin in 2007 - has since expanded to 10 communities across Ireland, including Newbridge.

The initiative supports parents from pregnancy through to school age with regular home visits, tailored guidance, and a focus on early childhood development.

The research, one of the longest-running randomised control trials in Europe, tracked the outcomes of children a full decade after their involvement ended.

Now aged 14, participants showed enhanced problem-solving abilities, fewer attention difficulties, and stronger family relationships.

Physical health outcomes also improved, suggesting that the programme’s impact extends well beyond the early years.

Speaking to Kfm earlier, Niall Sexton, manager of the Northside programme, explained how parents in Newbridge can sign up to the programme through the Newbridge Family Resource Centre at Dara Park.

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