National Pyjama Day 2023

Ashleigh House Creche Opening

Ashleigh House Creche Opening

Above Minister Zappone with wonderful early years educators in Ashleigh House.

From left to right: Claire, Lauren, Erica, Minister Zappone, Emma, Helena, Amy and Lisa.

 

Our Policy Officer, Amy McArdle, was delighted to attend the opening of the Ashleigh House ‘Bill Foley Early Years Preschool and Creche’ on Thursday 9th November. The Early Years Preschool and Creche has been named in memory of Bill Foley, former Chairman of Coolmine, who passed away in 2015. The newly extended and refurbished service, which will double the number of children the service can accommodate, was officially opened by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone TD.

Indoor environment at Ashleigh House Creche - Ashleigh House Creche Opening

ECI is so proud to have the Ashleigh House preschool and creche as a member service. Ashleigh House is a dedicated drug treatment service for women, including pregnant women and mothers with young children. It offers the only mother and child residential treatment programme in Ireland. Its early years service is available to all women partaking in the programme and it is incredibly important for the mothers to know that their children are receiving the highest quality of care and education while they engage in their journey to recovery. The importance of the work being done in Ashleigh House is captured by the following words of a mother who has availed of its service.

I had resigned myself that my baby would be in care the same as my other son, the same as me, the same as all my family to be honest with you. Never in my life before was I asked what my values or expectations were and how my son would be in 10 years’ time. From that moment on, working with my Parenting under Pressure therapist I began to believe that I could do this. I said I wanted my son to be smart and good in school and she asked me what did I need to do now to help him achieve this. He’s only 3. And I said, I suppose I could start reading to him and that was it from then on it was goal after goal and I began to feel like a proper mother ….I don’t want to use drugs anymore.

We invite you to learn more about Ashleigh House and the women and children it serves from Coolmine Chief Executive, Pauline McKeown, who delivered a moving address on the morning of the launch.

Outdoor environment at Ashleigh House Creche - Ashleigh House Creche Opening

We wish all the children, mothers and staff of the new Bill Foley Early Years Preschool and Creche the very best moving forward in your top-notch new facility.

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