Childcare Options

The range of childcare options available to parents include day care services, nurseries, playgroups, Montessori schools etc.

Depending on your specific needs, you can choose full day or sessional childcare:

 

A full day care service Typically provides care and education for children from infants to 5 years old and sometimes older children.
It will usually open from 7.30 am until 6pm all year round.
It often offers breakfast clubs and school drop off/collection services.
A sessional service Typically runs for a 3 to 3½ hour session daily, for between 38 to 50 weeks a year.
It will usually offer services in sessions e.g. from 9am to 12.30pm or from 2pm to 5pm.

 

You will find that some services have adopted a specific philosophy regarding early childhood education, such as Montessori or High/Scope, while others can combine several approaches to pre-school development.

To assist you in differentiating between the various programmes available we have provided you with more information on some specific types of services. Please click the links below for futher information:

 

MORE ON THIS SECTION:

Steiner Kindergartens

Steiner Kindergartens provide a secure, gentle, home-like environment where the young child can flourish and the wonder of childhood is protected. Steiner Early Years Care and Education has a consistent philosophy of child development underlying the curriculum which is responsive to childhood developmental phases. It began with the work of Dr Rudolf Steiner and has [...]

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Play Based Programmes

The play based programme offers play based learning that helps children explore, think, be creative, express themselves etc. It recognises that different types of play help children to learn and develop.   A play based programme will promote… physical play, for example climbing, riding a tricycle, and exploring and finding out what an object is [...]

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High/Scope Curriculum

The High/Scope Curriculum is used internationally in a variety of settings including day care, playgroups, childcare and primary schools.   What does a High/Scope setting look like? In a setting using the High/Scope curriculum you will see an environment which provides active participatory learning experiences through the use of: Clearly defined interest areas such as [...]

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Naíonraí

Naíonraí use the immersion education method, which is internationally renowned and proven to be the most effective way of acquiring a second language (Irish).   Potential Benefits… Greater academic success   Easier to learn a third and fourth language   Bilingualism   Biliteracy   Wider communication   Broader exposure to and appreciation of the value [...]

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Montessori Pre-school Education

Montessori education is based on the understanding that education begins at birth and is a natural process which develops spontaneously. Respect for the child is the core principle of the Montessori method of education.   The Montessori Setting Classrooms are bright spacious multi-age learning communities guided by a trained teacher. Children are free to move [...]

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