Little Rascals Day Nursery & Montessori

General information, Little Rascals Day Nursery & Montessori

Overview

The proprietor is Colette Murphy. I have been running 'Little Rascals' for the past 14 years now. Before this I worked and then managed a creche in Dublin for three years.

Because of my experience I am involved in a lot of associations where I love to share my ideas and help others.With the IPPA the early childhood organisation (founded in 1969) and the NCNA joining together now our head office is in Dublin, they are there to help and support all its members. Little Rascals Creche is a purposely built creche. We are dedicated to providing high quality childcare and committed to encouraging the holistic development of the child.we like to treat each child as a unique individual in our stimulating and comfortable environment. Our own curriculum along with 'project bubbles' provides learning through imagination, creativity and play. Our daily curriculum each day would involve the children speaking Irish and been spoken to in Irish.

'Little Rascals' have produced their own workbooks for each child where children will develop and improve hand and eye co-ordination, concentration, writing and colouring skills, independent skills, problem solving, just to name a few. Our Curriculum follows the Siolta and Aistear Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. Aistear is the new curriculum framework for children from birth to six years introduced in October 2009.

'Little Rascals' also has in place development checklist each year for each child, we also hold parent/child meetings so parent can discuss their child's progress in our creche, which is very important. Some of our own activities include art and crafts, painting, gluing and sticking, group posters,sand and water, playdough, stories, drama,singing and 'little sports' a fitness programme that we do each week, We have a large outdoor area with has rubber mats/safety surface, so the children can get out every day. We also have a cook who comes in each day to prepare and cook a well balanced nutritious hot dinner for the children.

Our menu varies from week to week and have been planned and taken into account the food pyramid which is vital for a healthy diet of each child. This menu was in conjunction with the nutritionists and dietitions of the H.S.E. and we follow their menu. We provide a summer camp during the summer from 3yrs to 12yrs At the end of our school year we take the children on a little outing usually to the Pet Farm.

All our Staff are highly qualified all have done their fetac level 5childcare courses, manual handling, First aid training and have a lot of experience behind them. To view the creche just give us a call to arrange a appointment convenient to you.

Below, Collette Murphy / Owner outlines her experience / qualifications

"I started my studies with Child Psychology and then pursuing on with Child Development.

I also received training in Dublin from City and Guild where I received a higher diploma in childcare.

I have completed a lot of training since then just to name a few, further studies in Child Development, Creche Management,Behaviour Management level 1,2,3, Diploma Nursery Management, Certificate in Art and Crafts for under 8yrs, Food Nutrition with E.H.O, Food Management E.H.O, Children First, First Aid and Manual Handling up -dated every 3 years, and Tutoring Diploma with the IPPA where I Tutor Play and the Developing Child Course.

I also have a Diploma in teaching Montessori Education. Another certificate I received is level 6 in Supervision in childcare, with the College of Progressive Education. During the year I attended training on physical education for children with Buntus coaching.

I feel in Childcare you can never have enough training, In-service training I attend regularly to ensure best practice in child care.