Blog

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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02 October, 2019

Making the Design of Childcare Services 'Universal'

Making the Design of Childcare Services 'Universal' - the Universal Design Guidelines for Early Learning and Care Settings The main principle of ‘Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size, ability or disability' from aim.gov.ie Here we highlight some key information about internal and external spaces, however, you ca...

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16 September, 2019

Extension to parental leave in Ireland from this month

Recent changes to Parental Leave in Ireland mean that parents now have an additional 4 weeks per child of unpaid parental leave. This leave can allow parents greater flexibility to work, while also being able to spend more time with their children. While there are financial sacrifices to make, these are often not as large as many fear (see Irish Times article: ‘Earn more than you think while working less’). If it is financially viable, the cut in pay can be well worth it. If ...

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