Pre School & Homework Club

The Pre-school aims to provide a happy, caring, secure, educational, play based environment for each and every child and parent attending the service. All staff members are highly motivated and qualified in all areas of childcare; they will guide, care, support and nurture your child during their time at preschool. All members of staff are trained in Paediatric First Aid, Manual Handling and up to date Garda Clearance. All play leaders have up to date Child Protection training, one of whom will be on duty at all times when your child is attending the service. Staff are all currently studying towards higher awards and ongoing training courses are regularly undertaken. Staff qualifications and certificates are on display in the main lobby area of the pre-school for your perusal.

St. Mary’s PreSchool works continuously to create an atmosphere that is relaxed, positive and informal, hence providing a supportive environment for your child to allow them to grow and develop at their own pace. We hope to nurture them to become independent, self-confident and school ready children. The needs of parents and guardians are also very important to us. We do our utmost to accommodate parental wishes. We encourage all parents to get involved in the activities of the pre-school: and welcome any suggestions or ideas you may have. Two-way communication is an important part of St. Mary’s PreSchool philosophy. We have an open door policy where you are welcome to your child’s work and we arrange meetings at intervals throughout the year. We have a
comprehensive Policy and Procedure book (this is available at the pre-school) and we are always delighted to receive feedback. A suggestion/comment box is available in the main Lobby area for you to leave your compliments or complaints as you wish and there is no requirement to sign. Please be assured of confidentiality. This lobby is available to both rooms.

St. Mary’s PreSchool operates in line with standards set by Early Childhood Ireland, Cork County Childcare Committee, Tusla, Department of Education and Skills, Department of Environmental and Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Annual inspections are carried out by each of the above departments to ensure that the highest level of care and education is maintained at all times. Feedback is provided with requirements and recommendations in areas where improvements if any are needed and advice and guidance is offered to ensure our service remains up to date with changes; Local, National, Political and Legislative.

At St. Mary’s Preschool Service we are committed to providing a quality child centred, safe, play based environment, which empowers young children to actively pursue their own learning. We offer each child surroundings where they are encouraged to reach their full potential at their own pace, with friendly professional staff.

The core values in our preschool are to encourage all children to grow and develop to become a competent and confident individual who contributes to their community. We respect the identity and belonging of each child, we recognise, respect and accept equality and diversity and offer a professional practice to all.

At St. Mary’s PreSchool, our aim is to support the growth and development of each individual child, providing an integrated, balanced, broad stimulating service. To achieve this we work in partnership with parents, carers and children, we provide a safe and secure environment, which enables children to
be;

• Respectful of themselves and others
• Happy and Confident
• Independent and Tolerant
• Compassionate and Caring
• Curious and Creative
• Appreciative and Appreciated
• Learn through Play and the Aistear Curriculum

St. Mary’s PreSchool provides play and learning opportunities for children aged 2years 8months – 5 years, using a mixture of structured and free play activities, under the relevant framework set by Aistear ( which is the Irish word for Journey), and Síolta (which is the Irish word for Seed). Aistear focuses on four interconnecting themes;

• Identity and Belonging
• Communicating
• Exploring and thinking
• Well Being,

It is a play based curriculum. The value of children’s play as an essential learning tool is highly valued at St. Mary’s Preschool and therefore there will be a balance of adult-directed activities and child-initiated activities. The duration of our session is;

9.00am -12.00pm (Session 1) Monday – Friday
12.15pm -3.15 pm (Session 2) Monday – Friday

For further information contact Julie on;

Tel; 086 4684437
Email; stmaryspreschoolenniskeane@gmail.com

Julie Murray (Owner & Manager of St. Mary’s PreSchool)