Parents to Benefit from Full Day Care and Pre-School Services at Muire Gan Smál

This month, a decade ago: Pupils and teachers at the 2011 Muire Gan Smál Pre-school Graduation Ceremony.  Front from left: Laura O’Sullivan-Ward; Liam Green, Gearoid O’Connor, Eilís Enright, Jonas Straksys, Maria Geaney, Marrunnasha Sujan and Charlotte Green. Middle row from left: Kathleen Brosnan, manager; Ellyson Callaghan, Aryton Burke, Emily Walsh, Kian Downey, Conor Martin, Robyn Hayes, Rowan O’Sullivan and Ariana Budryte and Louise O’Connor, assistant.  Back from left: Chloe Furey, Keeva Ahern, Amelie Kerins, Amy McCarthy, Anne O’Connor, assistant; Leah Horan, Charlie Nolan, Bláithín O’Mahony.  ©Photograph:John Reidy 29-6-2011
Part of the outdoor space available to Muire Gan Smál Pre-school pupils with the ark / boat safely in dry dock and ready for new adventures.

The pre-school facility at Muire Gan Smál Primary School has operated for over 30 years in Castleisland.

It has grown and changed over the years from a one-room pre-school service to a self contained unit with two large, bright rooms, toilets, a kitchen and a beautiful outdoor space.

Services now also include: an early start from 8.15am and a free sessional Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) service which offers free pre-school to all children aged from two years and eight months.

A New and Exciting Extension

This year, a new and exciting extension is being added to the services provided.

“We will be offering full day care to our pre-school children from September. This is in response to the changing needs of parents,” said facility manager, Kathleen Brosnan

“It will offer more flexibility to our parents. It also makes the transition to primary school from the pre-school a very comfortable experience for both parents and children as they are familiar and confident in their surroundings – and our new hours will be 8.15am to 5.30pm.

After School Care

“We also offer after school care to the children in the primary school. This includes support with the homework and art and crafts. All our services are subsidised through the National Childcare Scheme.

“The pre-school is free to all eligible children. We are opened during the school holidays. We offer six weeks of camps during the summer holiday.

“We are committed to providing high quality, early education and care to our families.

Warm and Caring Environment

“We have a safe warm and caring environment with a play based curriculum for our pre-school children.

“We place great emphasis on our outdoor area, as well as our two bright spacious indoor rooms we also have an outdoor classroom where lots of learning takes place.

“We can use our outdoor area everyday as we have a large covered outdoor space and we also have an adventure play area with a climbing area and a boat to sail off on our many imaginary adventures.

Apple Trees, Nesting Boxes, Rhubarb and Strawberries

“Our garden is the source of many activities. We have apple trees, a bird nesting box and many plants growing and, at the moment we have rhubarb and strawberries.

“The children love the digging and watching their plants grow. We have grown some of our plants from seeds.

“Outdoors and nature provides the children with lots of opportunities to learn and develop both socially and physically.

Playing and Learning Together

“By playing and learning together children build their social, language and self-control skills and they are supported by highly qualified and caring staff.

“Our location by the river gives us many opportunities to take walks and see the ducks and visit the community garden close by.

Enrollment Contacts…

Muire Gan Smál Pre-school is currently enrolling and if you would like to visit and view the services available you’re invited to contact Kathleen on: 087 9801580 or send an email to: muirechildcare@gmail.com

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