Athenry Community Childcare Services
Overview:
Currently Athenry Community Childcare Service operates in the Cullairbaun Community House in Cullairbaun using the two downstairs rooms; one free play/activity room and one classroom style.
It is located in one of the most disadvantaged areas of Athenry and is the only community pre-school in the Athenry area. The service provides affordable childcare – an early education service for children from 2-5 years and a homework support service to primary school children aged 5-12 years – to low-income families who might not otherwise be able to avail of such services.
Our services offer an incentive to parents to return to education or take up part-time work and they also provide respite to families experiencing difficulties.
We provide a home-from-home environment where the children can flourish and learn.
In addition to this, the service provides a social outlet for children and families who are isolated due to social, economic, language and other barriers.
We are committed to providing quality and affordable childcare in a safe, well appointed and maintained with qualified and professional staff. In all sessions we provide for holistic care based on the needs, talents and abilities of each child as an individual.
On a daily basis we provide for a curriculum of pre-school development and education. Activities such as:
- Free Play: To allow for social and emotional development as well as cognitive skills. We have a free play room that is safe for young children to explore and develop.
- Table Top Activities: Activities designed to help children develop their fine and gross motor skills and manipulative skills such as twisting, beads and peg boards and lots more.
- Art and Craft: Again children develop their fine and manipulative skills while enjoying creating something they and their families can be proud of. This further develops them emotionally and enhances their self-esteem
- Songs, Poetry, Dance and Drama: These sessions teach children in a multitude of ways including language, social, cognitive, gross motor and balance to mention but a few.
In the afterschool service we provide for homework support and any other activities the children wish such as art and craft, music and dance, cookery and many more. It is entirely child centred with the emphasis on the children relaxing and socialising in a safe environment that is designed to assist their learning and development.
The service is a community based one and we operate as part of the community for the good of the community as a whole. As such we rely on the continued support of Athenry ADC, St. V. de Paul and Galway County Council.
The Board of Management consists of members of the local community who have knowledge and concern in the area of parenting and childcare.
These projects are sponsored by Galway County Council, Galway Rural Development, Health Service Executive West, Pobail, County Galway VEC, Allied Irish Banks, the Catherine Howard Foundation and other various funding bodies throughout Ireland.
Community House Manager – Veronica Daly Tel: 085 7062014
