Blog

10 June, 2020

Tunes for Tiny reminds us that music is a gateway to learning in the Early Years

Teaching Tunes for Tiny   “Music engages the whole brain”   Music ignites all areas of child development and skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. It helps the body and the mind work together. ... Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression. (https://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/music-and-...

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22 May, 2020

Tunes for Tiny @ Kildare!

Tunes for Tiny (Week 1 19th May) These workshops are being run as a collaboration with Riverbank Arts Centre and Kildare CCC for childcare educators in the county. These sessions booked up quickly but we hope to run the series again in the near future!  I had the pleasure of being invited to attend the Tunes for Tiny sessions part sponsored by Kildare CCC every Tuesday for 4 weeks from 19th May.  I had no idea what to expect particularly when asked to arrive with e...

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06 April, 2020

Grow with your children!

Would you like to grow vegetables with your children but don’t know where to start? Now is the perfect time to learn together. Getting outdoors, and horticulture in particular is proven to have mental health benefits for all, which is why many therapeutic settings have a horticultural aspect. Enjoy the wonder of growth and new life that Spring brings with your children. Some of these projects just need a windowsill, for others you may need a garden or any outdoor spac...

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30 March, 2020

We're going on a Bug Hunt!

  We all know we feel better when we get outside.. so, given the current situation, even if you just have a balcony, a little garden, or can get out for a walk within 2km of your home, try and encourage your children to spend some time outdoors over these two weeks of extended limitations. While you’re out you might enjoy a little bug hunt game, making the home magnifying glass is a fun indoor activity too if you have a glue gun, or strong tape.. or try your own version!   ...

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18 March, 2020

Ideas for parents while 'social distancing'

Hello fellow parents! This is the first week we are trying to home-school, work from home - or not work, with all the worry that comes with that, entertain the children, get exercise and maintain our sanity.. thankfully it is a short week and hopefully we will all get into the swing of life at home together over the coming weeks. So turn down the news and social media for a while and allow yourselves to get a little bit creative. Thankfully, while this is a hugely concerning time for all, ...

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17 February, 2020

Keeping Records

Keeping records We are often asked What records need to be kept for Early Learning and Care Services and School Aged Childcare Services, and for how long? Certain records need to be kept on the premises for a variety of reasons including Inspections, staff requests and parent/guardian requests. In order to be compliant under regulation and legislation some records need to be kept for longer periods of time. The table below provides information on retention periods for record...

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22 January, 2020

What is Infant Literacy?

  What is Infant literacy? Early language development and literacy begins in a child’s first three years.  It is very closely linked with the child’s earliest experience with books and stories.  The interactions children have with books, paper and crayons are the building blocks for language, reading and writing development.  Early literacy development is a continuous development process that begins in the first years of life.  It is really importan...

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08 January, 2020

Beat the January Blues the ECCE way!

How to beat the January Blues (with your ECCE session) We feel it, so you can rest assured our little people feel it too.  They have had lots of wonderful time with their parents, out of routine. Now, after all that fun, they are back and it is tough - on us all! Here are some suggestions that might help, both us and them, cope with the post-Christmas feeling... Know the signs – If the children are pent up and you can see signs of frustration - take them outside as much a...

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02 December, 2019

Outdoor play- a Blog post, inspired by The Faerie Tailor exhibition at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge

Have you heard about the Fairie Tailor exhibition? It is a journey into tiny, magical worlds created by artist, Emily Bazeley, and is full of natural materials, found in places where you would not expect to find faerie inspiration.  This magical world is one where the more you look the more you see, be enchanted by dwellings, costumes made from natural materials.  This enchanted world is available to see now until Sunday December 21st. https://www.riverbank.ie/event/visual-art...

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18 November, 2019

Where do I start with Universal Design??

Our last blog looked at one feature of the Universal Design Guidelines, here we offer an overall breakdown to make it much easier for you to navigate this wonderful, but extensive document! Try to save yourself money and time with the resources already available free of charge through the Aim website.  Someone has done all the hard work for you and all you have to do is read it. The work that has been undertaken in the Universal Design Guidelines takes the mystery out of universa...

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