Step By Step Creche & Montessori

General information, Step By Step Creche & Montessori

Overview

Step By Step Crèche and Montessori is a purpose built childcare facility and was established in 2003 by Monica Cronin (Mont. Dip.). We are an all-round childcare provider that offers parents a wide selection of services, from babies, toddlers, pre-school and to children of school going age. We also provide collection service for older children from local schools.

We offer the ECCE and CETS schemes.

Step By Step Crèche and Montessori is registered with tusla, fully insured and is a member of Early Childhood Ireland.

All our staff are fully trained and experienced in caring for children and are all Garda vetted.

Based on the principles that Step By Step Crèche and Montessori follow, we have developed our own Children’s Charter.

Babycare

Our baby room provides our youngest children with safe and familiar surroundings. It is a bright, colourful, cosy and intimate room. Caring, reliable, experienced staff care for our babies. We keep a daily record sheet so parents can see what their child’s needs were each day. In the room next door, each baby has been allocated a cot. As well as our CCTVmonitors staff check and record in writing, their observations of the babies, every ten minutes while they are sleeping. Parents are required to provide the following:

• Nappies, Wipes, Creams and/or Powders
• A full change of clothes, including vest and socks
• Bottles
• Soothers (if applicable which will be given at nap times only)

All items should be clearly marked with the child’s name.

Toddler

Our Toddler Room offers children plenty of floor space. It is a bright, safe and comfortable playroom, with a variety of toys. Loving, reliable and experienced staff care for our toddlers. At this stage of development children are introduced to feeding themselves. We keep a daily record sheet for parents to see what their child’s needs were each day. The children have lots of books, music/song and stimulating toys. The children are allocated an individual cot in our dedicated sleep room. As well as CCTV monitors our staff personally check the toddlers every ten minutes while they are sleeping.

Parents are required to provide the following:

• • • Nappies,
    • Wipes, Creams and/or Powders
    • A full change of clothes, including vest and socks
    • Soothers (if applicable which will be given at nap times only)

All items should be clearly marked with the child’s name.

PreSchool

Our playroom provides a happy caring environment, which encourages children to learn social and development skills, through activities and play. As well as free play and music, the children have the opportunity to play with sand, water and play dough.

There are numerous shape sorters, blocks and other relevant activities for stimulation. Nursery rhythms, music, singing and dressing up are also on the agenda.

Comfortable sleeping arrangements are available during the day. The children are cared for by caring, experienced and trained staff.

Montessori

The children in this group have lots of activities to take part in and the emphasis is on learning through fun. They have the opportunity to learn to mix with their peers and sharing and caring is high on the agenda. The daily routine includes play dough, jigsaw, beads, threading, cutting, painting, etc. The children are also introduced to their letters and numbers in preparation for school.

ECCE FREE PRE-SCHOOL YEARS

Free Pre-School Years in Early Childhood Care and Education scheme under the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA)

We are participating in the free government funding pre-school years. The effect will be that eligible children will be able to enter the scheme and avail of one year of free pre-school education. What is the free Pre-School Years in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)?

The ECCE is a new scheme designed to give children access to a free Pre-School Years of appropriate programme-based activities in the year before they start primary school. Participation in a pre-school programme provides children with their first formal experience of early learning, the starting-point of their educational and social development outside the home. Children who avail of pre-school are more likely to be ready for school and a formal learning and social environment. How is the Pre-School Years funded?

Step By Step Crèche & Montessori will be paid a capitation fee for each qualifying child enrolled. The pre-school year will normally commence in September of each year. How will the Pre-School Years be provided?

Eligible children attending Step By Step Crèche & Montessori which is a full day-care service, are entitled to receive a free place for up to 3 hours daily from Monday to Friday./ We are providing a 38 week scheme. Other Fees and Charges?

Any additional services or extra hours if care provided or late collection fees will be charged accordingly.

After School

Our After School Service is available throughout the year. After school, children are picked up and returned to the crèche. Homework supervision is available and hot meal is also served. Children are permitted to bring in their own hand held electronic games; however we cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage. There is an arts and crafts programme, as well as other interesting activities (games, dressing up, etc.) available to cater for the individual needs of this age group.