newsletter

newsletter
mayo county childcare committee
welcome launch of
road safety initiative
for pre-schools
Issue 24
• July 2010
Jim Power, Co-ordinator Mayo CCC, pictured with Gay Byrne and children
in Dublin at the official launch of Road Safety Training for Pre-schools.
The Road Safety Authority unveiled its latest campaign aimed at encouraging preschool
children to take care on the roads. The Authority has produced a special pack of
story books, music and games to help under 6 year olds to stop, look and listen. The
‘Simon and Friends’ resource will be distributed to thousands of pre-schools
nationally, through the structure of local County Childcare Committees.
Launching the resource in Dublin, Mr. Gay Byrne said the road safety message
was as important for very young children as it was for adults. “Children learn
good habits from a young age and its never too early to start educating
young children on how to be safe on the road, but its also important to do
this in a child friendly way that it is understandable and interesting to the
youngest of our road users”
This launch was a proud moment for the Mayo County Childcare Committee, as
it was the Mayo County Childcare Committee who first brought the resource to
Ireland. Jim Power Mayo CCC Coordinator stated, “Back in 2008 myself and Noel
Gibbons (Mayo County Council Road Safety Officer) did some research to find the
most effective road safety programme for pre-school children, which could be
used in Mayo. We looked at programmes which had been run in Australia, New
Zealand, Europe and England. We found a programme called ‘Salmon and Friends’
and decided to work with pre-schools to implement this programme in Mayo. We
organised training for pre-school workers in Mayo to implement the programme
and we held a special road safety day for all the pre-schools so that they could
begin implementing the programme in their own individual pre-schools. We called
this the ‘Beep Beep Day’. The pre-school workers were fantastic, and worked very
hard to implement the programme which we found to be a great success. We
informed the Road Safety Authority and thankfully they worked really hard to
bring the programme to the stage where it is being launched nationally now. We
are delighted to see the success of the programme”
The new pack contains four individual story books which focus on ‘stopping and
looking’, ‘holding hands’ and ‘setting a good example’. The resource also includes
and a teacher’s guide, and a CD with songs and recordings of the stories, which
are also available in Irish.
“As parents, grandparents and guardians, we have a responsibility to set a good
example for our children and ensure that the lessons taught in pre-schools and
schools across the country are put into practice everyday.” Mr. Byrne said “I
encourage all pre-schools to get involved in the ‘Simon and Friends’ programme
and make road safety part of Early Years Education” The resource is available free
of charge and training will be provided through the County Childcare Committee.
contents
Chairperson’s Foreword...................02
Childminding Update........................02
NCIP & ECCE Update ........................03
Official Opening of
Robeen Rascals Playschool...........04
Siolta & Aistear Update...................05
Children’s Activities............................06
Comhair Naionrai Teoranta ............07
Samhradh - Summer.........................08

Chairperson’s
foreword
Childminding update
Meet Mary Heavey from
Childminding Ireland!
NCIP & ECCE update
By Jim Power, Co-ordinator.
Well summer has arrived
and it is great to see the
lovely weather and everyone
enjoying it.
Following on from our very
successful Childcare Seminar
“Supporting Quality” in
Knockranny House Hotel,
the staff of the MCC office
has been very busy in
the implementation of the
Lily Cunningham
ECCE scheme in Mayo. The
development workers are
now engaging in systematic assistive visits to childcare
services to help them with the implementation of the
ECCE Scheme and the integration of the Aistear and
Siolta framework into their services. These visits are
proving to be very successful.
I would like to congratulate Jim and the staff on
the launch of the Road Safety Authority’s latest
campaign to encourage pre-school children to take
care on the roads. The initiative was first launched
in Mayo when Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Officer for
Mayo County Council and Jim Power our coordinator
did some research to find the most effective road
safety programme for preschool children.
Having looked at various programmes, they decided
on the programme “Salmon and Friends”. As part of
their joint efforts for Mayo, they organised training
for all the schools so they could begin implementing
the programme in their own individual schools.
Our “Beep-Beep Day” proved to be a great success
and it is wonderful to see the programme now
being launched nationally. It is never too early to
start educating young children on how to be safe
on the road. Congratulations to Jim, Noel and all
involved in bringing this programme to fruition.
I welcome the newly formed Mayo Montessori
Network which is proving to be a very successful
forum for Montessori providers to meet and
discuss issues specific to the Montessori method
of education and how these can be resolved. I
wish the forum well.
I also welcome the recent opening of the “Little Acorns”
childcare facility in Brickens and the “Robeen Rascals”
facility in Robeen. The communities of Brickens and
Robeen can be very proud of their achievements in
providing high quality childcare services to all the
children and families in their areas for many years to
come. Congratulations to all involved. We also had
the turning of the sod on the new Foxford facility and
we look forward to its completion.
I hope you all have a wonderful summer and enjoy
your summer holidays.
Lily Cunningham,
Chairperson MCCC.
Childminding Ireland, as The National Association, is
committed to promoting the development of quality in
family based care for children by providing a range of
services for childminders, promoting Siolta Quality
Standards, developing training for the childminding
sector and promoting the development of local
childminding networks.
• I am based in Ballina, Co Mayo (Mon-Thurs 9-5pm)
• I am contact person for Childminding Ireland at local/
county/regional level in the West & North West
• I am the local/county/regional NVCO support
for childminders in the West & North West and
promote & support the implementation of Siolta,
Aistear & the ECCE Scheme
• I liaise with relevant agencies/personnel at regional
level for the development of quality childminding
• I promote aims & objectives of Childminding
Ireland & NCIP 2006-2010: To promote high
standards in family based care for children, where
their developmental, emotional, educational
and recreational needs will be met along with
their physical care; To support and inform all
Childminders and parents in the matter of family based
care for children; To maintain a code of standards for family based care for
children; To encourage the recognition of Childminding as a positive care setting for children.
Mary writes:
“I am now in my tenth working year with Childminding Ireland, and have seen at first hand
the very welcome major development of the childcare sector in Ireland over the last decade
under the EOCP 2000-2006 and the NCIP 2006-2010. With continued State support, funding
for childminding became available through the national childcare programme. Over the years,
there was great collaboration work done between all the stakeholders in the childcare sector.
County Childcare Committees were established and staff employed. A Childminder Advisory
Service was established in each County, with Childminder Advisors giving support & advice to
Childminders through the National Guidelines for Childminders & Voluntary Notification with
incentives such as development grants, tax relief on childminding income, Quality Awareness
Programme training & many other training opportunities. The importance of childminders
was acknowledged throughout all of this, and many of them taking part and some leading
the way in various networks, training and committees. Working to promote and develop
childminding in the West & North West of Ireland has proved to be so worthwhile, working
on many committees, attending events & seminars all over the country, meeting the most
interesting people, many of whom are now good friends of mine & each other too. We all
share a common goal - ‘a treasury of knowledge which is a legacy to pass on to the current
and future generations of children in Ireland and the childcare practitioners they meet &
guide them along their Early Childhood Care & Education journey!’
Most recently, the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs introduced a free Pre-
School Year of Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) for all children in the year prior to
starting Primary School. Childcare Services will be supported by the assistance of Siolta
Co-ordinators & their local County Childcare Committees. Childminding Ireland was formally
assigned the task of supporting the role of Siolta with ECCE childminders and Patricia Murray,
CE, was appointed as Siolta Co-ordinator. Engagement with Siolta is promoted throughout
the membership and focused support with adherence to the principles will be given to
the childminders who are delivering the ECCE Scheme. Childminding Ireland will work with
NVCO’s & CCC’s to establish Siolta cluster groups to maximize delivery and pool resources.
We also support all other childminders who wish to implement Siolta within their service.
Membership of Childminding Ireland
Registered Childminder Membership €55 for Childminders minding in their own home
Registered Nanny Membership €55 New!! for those minding in child/ren’s own home
General Membership €20 for Childminding Assistants, Childcare Students,
and for those considering Childminding in the near future
Associate Membership €20 for Childminder Advisors, Inspectorate, Tutors, Parents, Others
who’s work impacts on family home based childcare (e.g. Public Health Nurse)
New reduced insurance cover for members!! 12% & 8% discounts with Kidd Insurance
Please feel free to contact us:-
Childminding Ireland
The National Childminding Association of Ireland
9 Bulford Business Campus, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow
T: 01-2878466 & Mary 096-72084 Email: info@childminding.ie www.childminding.ie
Agreement has been reached on the introduction of a new Childcare Employment and
Training Support (CETS) scheme. The scheme will come into effect from 1st September
2010 and will combine the existing childcare support payments for qualifying FÁS and
VEC trainees into one capitation system providing free childcare places.
The scheme will be open to private and community day-care services which are
participating in the free pre-school year scheme and/or the subvention scheme, as
well as after-school services for primary school children which are in the subvention
scheme. All childcare services participating in these schemes have at this stage
received a letter and application form from the Office of Minister for Children &
Youth Affairs (OMCYA) giving details of the new CETS scheme and inviting them to
apply to participate if they wish. The application must be returned to Mayo County
Childcare Committee (Mayo CCC) by 18th June. The General Terms and Conditions
governing the scheme are available on the OMCYA website.
1 Can a VEC/FAS Trainee contact the Provider directly for
a place on the Scheme?
The VEC / FAS trainee will be given a letter by FAS / VEC
confirming their entitlement and also a list of participating
services locally. The person then contacts the service
to book a place.
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Mayo County Childcare Committee welcomes the new Childcare Employment and Training Support (CETS) Scheme
Are services that offer SAC only able to enter the scheme
(these will not be in the ECCE or CCS Scheme)?
Yes, private School Age Childcare stand-alone services
can apply.
Will the capitation be paid for the number of agreed
places irrespective of whether the are filled or not?
The capitation will be paid for the number of
contracted places, whether they are filled or not. It
is important to remember that, for now, providers
are just being asked to register their interest in the
scheme and to indicate the number of places they
expect to have available for it. It is very likely that the
CETS scheme will be over-subscribed by providers i.e.
services will offer far more places than we need. In
July, the OMCYA will have a better idea from FAS/VEC
of how many places they will need and where, and
then the OMCYA will start telling providers how many
CETS places the OMCYA will need from them. In some
cases, the OMCYA will need none or fewer than they
indicated. Once contracts are in place, the OMCYA will
only pay for the number specified.
Can providers charge extra?
Yes, for optional additional hours provided and agreed
with Parents.
Is the CETS scheme just for VEC and FAS trainees?
Yes
I have VEC and FAS trainees currently on ECCE or
CCSS. Should/Can I apply to the CETS instead?
Yes. If you wish to offer full-time, half-time or after school
places but not if you only offer sessional places.
Am I taking on the parents as staff / do I need to
train them?
No, it is for children of parents on VEC / FAS Schemes.
Can I specify the age range of the children? I wish to
apply for as it is too awkward to apply for 3 babies,
4 toddlers 3 afterschool kids etc as it is too difficult
to plan re costs. (Ratios also become an issue)
You can, if you wish, specify what you are prepared to
offer in terms of age-range by writing it in on the form.
On Application form Q.2, is Maximum number of places
available referring to the service in total or just CETS
Scheme places?
The number of CETS places.
How will the places be allocated?
Can services apply for as many places as they wish?
In theory, yes they can. But they should be realistic
about how many places they have to spare, if any,
and they should remember that no matter how
many places they apply for, they are not guaranteed
they will get any places at all under the scheme.
When will payments start being made?
From late August.
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Can a service apply for both the 25 and 26 week model
and if so why are they split?
In the terms and conditions, it states:
“The capitation fee will be paid for an agreed number
of weeks within the September to August Term. This
will vary between 43 and 51 weeks depending on the
particular FAS/VEC Childcare Service provision which is
agreed with the participating service provider in each
case. Where a period of 51 weeks is contracted, a set
number and type of places will be contracted for 25
weeks during September 2010 to February 2011, and for
26 weeks during March 2011 to August 2011.” A service
contracted to provided CETS places for 51 weeks may
be offered a number of places or type of places for the
second half of this period that is different to what they
will be offered in the first half of this period.
Should ECCE participating services turn away ECCE
children to hold places for CETS?
ECCE places are either sessional or part of a daycare
place. Only daycare or after-school places will be
considered for offer under CETS. If a service is contracted
to hold a place for a CETS child, they cannot give that
place to an ECCE child.
Can unfilled ECCE places be used for the CETS scheme?
If the service has been contracted by OMCYA to
provide a CETs place, then they hold that place.
I have a concern about the level of fees. Are we allowed
to charge extra for food or school pick-up, for example?
Half day and full day services have a regulatory obligation
to provide nourishment. The capitation fee includes the
provision of food / snacks at no additional cost to the
parent. School pick-up is an optional extra. You can
charge for that.
In the case of After-Schoolers, we are limited in the
number of schools we can pick up from; also the number
of children in each school & pick-up time. Alternatively,
is it assumed that partcipants will organise their own
school transport?
You do not have to be able to provide transport in order
to apply for the scheme.
No distinction is made between the various age
groups, i.e. Babies (under 12 months), Toddlers &
Montessori. If we offered say 3 places, there would
be a big negative impact if we got 3 Babies. Could
we refuse to do this?
The OMCYA do not have a complete snapshot of
what FAS / VEC requirements will be yet.OMCYA and
Mayo CCC will work with FAS, VEC and providers to
meet the needs of the CETS children as best we all
can. However, the capitation fee is a flat fee.
If a child is on site for more than 5 hours, provider is
required to provide food - Can provider charge for food?
No, a service cannot charge for food.
Can provider charge for drop or collection of a child
attending primary school?
Yes.
The Coordinator of Mayo CCC Mr. Jim Power, welcomed the new scheme “This is
another positive development in the evolution of a quality Early Childhood Care &
Education infrastructure in Mayo and Ireland. This scheme will provide further funding
to childcare services, and will offer free childcare places to people participating in
training thus assisting them to re enter the labour market.” The Minister and his
staff at the OMCYA have once again developed a new and innovative mechanism
for improving the Early Childhood Care and Education structure in Ireland, in spite
of difficult financial times.
For further details about this scheme please contact Mayo CCC at 094 9047010 or go
to the Office of Minister for Children & Youth Affairs website at www.omcya.ie
Below are answers to some questions which have already been received from childcare
services regarding the new scheme.
Child starting under ECCE in September. Parent starting
FAS course in September. Can parent avail of CETS from
8am - 1.30pm and ECCE from 1.30pm - 4.30pm?
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Much depends on the circumstances. If a qualifying
parent is on a 10 week FAS course, they will get 10
weeks of CETS and then they can get ECCE for the
other weeks if their child is the eligible age. But if a
qualifying parent is on a September to June course,
they will get their ECCE place within their CETS place.
I have been asked by a Childminder can they apply
for the CETS? Or is it only open to people currently
on schemes.
Childminders will not be eligible to apply.
Can a private after school service that is part of a full
day care service apply, or is it just after school services
receiving CCS? Can a stand alone after school service
receiving CCS apply?
Yes, private services providing SAC can apply. Standalone
SAC services receiving CCS can also apply.
If a service reserves a place under the CETS for
September and then that place does not get filled,
are they paid? (This space would normally be offered
to a fee paying child)
OMCYA will pay them if the service has been contracted
to hold a place.
If a child does not attend and is booked, does the
service get paid?
Yes, the childcare service will be paid.
How many weeks of the year are they paid for? Is it
just for the duration of the course e.g.25 weeks etc.
The Childcare service will be paid for 43 weeks
under the 43 week model. Under the 51 wk model,
they will be paid for a set number of places for the
first 25 weeks, and a (possibly different) set number
of places for the following 26 weeks.
There is some confusion with our providers around
the amount of hours they need to be open to qualify
for the new CETS scheme. Can you please clarify
both the minimum and maximum opening hours for
full-day, half-time and after-school hours?
The definition of full-day and half-time for the CETS
scheme is different form the Regulations because the
OMCYA have to take account of the needs of FAS / VEC
parents. For CETS, the minimum opening hours are:
Full-day: at least 10 hours per day to include 8 am to 6
pm. Half-time: at least 5 1 /2 hours per day to include 8 am
to 1.30pm. AfterSchool: at least 3 hours per day to include
2pm to 5pm. There are no maximum opening hours.
Can parents who are participating on the
CE scheme apply?
CE participants will not qualify for CETS places.
Eligibility is decided by FAS & VEC.
Who applies to the service? FAS/VEC or parent? If
the parent applies is there a parent declaration form
procedure as with the ECCE/CCS etc?
The qualifying parent will be given a list of participating
services (by FAS or VEC) and they then contact the
service. There will be no parental declaration form.
Are the services paid for the number of places available
or the number of places availed of?
The number the OMCYA have contracted them to set aside.

off icial opening of
robeen rascals playschool
siolta & aistear update
Robeen Rascals Childcare Centre
In March 2006 a meeting was called in the local national school to discuss the need for
a playschool in the area of Robeen. There was a very positive response to the meeting so
out of the people who attended a committee was formed. Their purpose was to carry out a
comprehensive needs analysis within the community to pinpoint exactly what was wanted.
Our first committee meeting was held on the 11th April 2006 with six committee members.
Our first task was to carry out a needs analysis. Armed with paper, biros and some
apprehension we started knocking on doors, talking to parents throughout the area. The
results of this needs analysis showed us that not only did the local community want a
playschool but they were also requesting that an after school service be provided. Our
next step was to contact MCCC and we had our first meeting with Michelle Basquille. We
also contacted the H.S.E., and met our development worker, Joanne Doherty. They outlined
exactly what we had to do to realise our dream, and it was daunting.
We needed to find premises from which we could run our service. A port a cabin was
identified. We had to hire a person to run our playschool and we had to purchase equipment.
For all this we required a substantial amount of funding. We turned to our local community
for the fundraising and they supported us enthusiastically, above and beyond our wildest
dreams. We obtained a loan from our local credit union and so it began. We purchased our
port a cabin in August 2006 and with the help of a local volunteers and tradesmen we set
up our new playschool. We recruited our first staff member and with the aid of voluntary
assistance from parents we opened our doors on the 4th September 2006. Eight children
were enrolled and started that day. We were very aware of our community’s involvement
in the playschool. With this in mind we ran a competition in the national school to come
up with a suitable name for our playschool and out of that Robeen Rascals was formed. A
second staff member was recruited in January 2007.
Our excitement was great and we believed that all the hard work was over. How wrong could we
be!! We started working on a few ideas that we had. Our first one was to set up an after school.
We started this service in June 2007 in a vacant room in the national school with two new staff
members. We had worked closely with the board of management and they agreed to allow us
use of this room on a temporary basis. During this time we were working with Michelle Basquille
in order to apply for a staffing grant and also a capital grant so that we could purpose build a
childcare facility incorporating a playschool and after school, community room, family room and
kitchen. We had to form a limited company and prove we had a need for this facility. Without
the support from Michelle during this process we would not have the facility we have today.
Michelle managed to take all the confusing language contained in the relevant documents and
put them into plain English. We acquired the services of a member of our community, Matt Gill
who donated a lot of his time and expertise in construction engineering, in compiling the plans
of our new facility, submitting them and liaising with the various agencies involved. In 2007 we
discovered that we had been successful and had been allocated a capital grant of €575,000.
Our work began in earnest. Planning permissions, tenders for constructions, budgets. Life became
busy for the committee with weekly meetings from Sept 2006 up until recently. A local contractor
Padraic Horan Construction was awarded the tender and in July 2008 the project began. All over
the winter and following spring we watched as our building rose from the ground. It got hectic
as rooms had to be equipped, colour schemes decided and grounds landscaped. Throughout the
chaos panic and the committee’s occasional changing of their mind in relation to the facilities they
would eventually offer in the premises thus causing changes to the internal layout our contractor
had one phrase for us, “No problem”.
As we neared completion we were approached by parents in the community who asked
us if we could provide a crèche facility. We had a family room in the building so we
approached Michelle Basquille and Joanne Doherty and once again asked for their help.
Our playschool and after school opened in the new building on the 27th April 2009. Once
in the door we then set about opening the toddler room. In August 2009 we recruited
another two staff, bringing our staff total to six. In September of that year the doors of the
toddler room opened bringing this new addition to the services we provided. It has been
a tremendous success.
We soon realised that the services we provided within the childcare centre had expanded to such an
extent that as a voluntary committee we were unable to fully meet the requirements of the children,
parents’ staff and the various agencies involved in the running of Robeen Rascals. We made the
decision that we needed a manager and in December of 2009 our manager Terri Gallagher was appointed.
In the space of three and a half years we have gone from the idea of a playschool, to a port a cabin
with eight children and one staff member to what we have today - a purpose built childcare centre
offering full day care for children from 1 to 12 years of age of which we have 45 currently enrolled
and currently employs seven staff members. Robeen Rascals is aptly named as the local community
refers to the building as the Rascals Centre. We have been able to open our doors to the community
offering opportunities for a tea, biscuit and a chat after local events, such as Easter (with hot cross
buns), holy communion and any social event going on in the locality.
This achievement would not have been possible without the assistance of our staff, Kate, Karyn,
Colette, Michelle, Bridie, Liama and Terri, our community and the support of our priests Fr. Paddy
Sheridan and Fr. Ronnie Boyle. We would like to thank the MCCC for their support, and especially
Michelle Basquille. We would like also to thank the HSE and especially Joanne Doherty, Pobal, and the time
and dedication of the nine members of the voluntary committee. To all a very big thank you from Robeen Rascals.
Quality Frameworks, Siolta and Aistear
What are the Quality Frameworks?
Siolta
Aistear
The National Quality Framework for
Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
Siolta and Aistear
Common Underpinning Principles
• ECCE (Early Childhood Care & Education) takes place in lots of
different settings in Ireland
• Diversity of the ECCE workforce - qualifications, experience service type
• The central role of a highly trained adult to quality outcomes for children
• The overall objective of all these Quality Frameworks is to ensure
that children’s experience of early childhood care and education is
the best possible
View the Child as:
• A unique individual with distinctive rights
• An active, capable and competent learner
Built on the understanding that the child learns:
• Holistically, through relationships with others through play and by
using language
Where Do I Begin??
Consider your contractual obligations under the ECCE Scheme
Participating services in ECCE must agree to provide an appropriate
educational programme for children in their pre-school
year which adheres to the principles of Siolta.
Services will be supported in meeting this
requirement through the assistance of
Siolta Co-ordinators, funded for this
purpose and by their local County
Childcare Committee.
Mayo Co Childcare Committee
staff are happy to assist you with
any of your queries re Quality
Frameworks, please contact us if
you have any queries re same.
How will this Happen?
The implementation stage will take place in 2 phases.
Phase
01
Phase
02
Phase
01
January 2010 to September 2012 -
Informal Engagement with Siolta and Aistear
September 2012 to September 2014 -
Formal Engagement with Siolta and Aistear
January 2010 to September 2012:
Informal Engagement period - will be a lead in introductory
period for all the new requirements on childcare services
• County Childcare Committees and those involved in Siolta will support
pre-school services to become familiar with and competent in the new
requirement of them during this period.
• Mayo County Childcare Committee will assist pre-school services
during this informal engagement period by:
} Organising Conference eg. ‘Supporting Quality’ Conference which
was held in Feb 2010
} Organising Siolta Workshops which are facilitated by Ann Halligan
and selecting approx 24 childcare services each year to participate
in these workshops
} Organising relevant training which compliments Siolta Standards
and issuing certification for same
} Answering any queries around the quality frameworks that as they arise
} Through assistive visits by MCCC development workers to preschool
services as required.
An example of Informal Engagement
in Quality Frameworks:
Childcare services should put a mechanism in place for recording informal
engagement eg. a portfolio, any filing system they are comfortable with,
wall displays etc.
Example 1:
When a childcare worker attends a training event organised by Mayo
CCC such as Buntus Training or Grandparents Day etc. This can be
documented in the childcare services files and used towards services
initiatives towards ensuring quality.
Example 2:
If the Childcare Worker brings the children outdoors on a Nature trail.
This event can be logged and details of what the children saw and
comments made by children etc. can be recorded and used towards
initiatives towards displaying quality.
What Childcare Services
should be doing between 2010 and 2012,
lead in Informal Engagement period
• Identify and address staff training needs
• Hold regular staff progress meetings
• Put a mechanism in place for recording informal engagement
• Attend information workshops & seminar etc organised by OMCYA,
Mayo CCC, NCNA etc and record same
• Start recording evidence of quality practice in preparation for
Formal Engagement post September 2012.
Phase
02
September 2012 to September 2014 -
Formal Engagement with Siolta and Aistear will be covered
in next edition of MCCC Newsletter in Autumn

Pre-school
Children’s activities
after-school
Children’s activities
comhair naionrai teoranta
By Pattie Stundún.
FROGS ON A LILY PAD:
Links into Exploring and Thinking
Pre-prepare the coloured squares by cutting up two sheets of coloured
card into small squares.
Beginning
Begin by telling the children a story about a frog who crossed a pond by
jumping on coloured lily pads. Use a small plastic frog and two colours
of square paper. Arrange the squares red-yellow, red-yellow. As you make
the frog jump say the colour of the paper it lands on. Ask the children if
they notice anything about the way the lily pads are arranged.
Middle
Give each child coloured paper and a small animal and watch
how they arrange the paper. Comment on what you observe.
End
Watch to see if children make patterns or sort their squares by
colours. Listen as children describe the patterns. Make notes.
Needed:
Modelling Clay
and Small Wooden Sticks
Modelling clay - the brown modelling clay is best as it
does not have any fibres in it and it is easy to work with.
Show them how easy it is to shape. They can press their
fingers into it. Halfway through the activity introduce
the matchsticks which the children can stick into the
modelling clay. Leave the clay to dry overnight. It can
be painted if desired.
Needed:
Foil
Sculptures: Tin Foil
Each child is given a piece of tinfoil
which they can investigate. Get them
to describe it while you write down
comments like ‘shiny’ ‘flat’ ‘crinkly’
etc. Comment on what you can do
with the foil ie. Twist it, bend it,
squeeze it etc. Introduce the word
‘sculpture’. Ask the children if they
would like to sculpt their foil into
something. Have extra sheets of
tinfoil on the table. Let children show
each other what they sculpted.
All Activities Link
to Aistear, Siolta
and Regulation 5
Needed:
Black Paint, Cotton Buds
Why always paint with paintbrushes. This is a
simple activity. Prep-repare some trays with black
paint. Offer each child paper or card of their choice.
Then leave some cotton buds on the table. Each
child works with the cotton bud dipping it into
the black paint and making marks on their paper.
Children can be given extra paper to take a ‘print’
of their work by pressing it down on top of their
painting. Introduce the word ‘print’.
Wallpaper
Needed:
Roll out a large section of wallpaper.
Hold down with some masking tape
on the floor. Place crayons or markers
or paint trays along the middle of the
wallpaper. Let children sit around the
edge of the paper and work together
on a large art project. You can try
small rollers as an alternative to paint
brushes, they give a lovely effect. You
can also have post it notes available
for the children to write on and stick
onto the wallpaper.
Triple
Chocolate
Brownies
Preparation time:
less than 30 mins
Cooking time:
10 to 30 mins
Makes 20-24 squares
These fudgey brownies are as outrageously tempting as the
picture suggests, especially when eaten warm from the oven.
Ingredients
275g/10oz plain chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
275g/10oz unsalted butter
85g/3oz pecans, broken into pieces
85g/3oz milk chocolate, cut into large chunks
85g/3oz white chocolate, cut into large chunks
175g/6oz plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla essence
325g/12oz caster sugar
Preparation Method
1
2
3
4
Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas3.
Line a 30x20x3.5cm/12x8x11/2in tin with
lightly buttered greaseproof paper or foil.
Put the plain chocolate and butter in a
large bowl, place over a pan of simmering
water and allow to melt.
Sieve the flour and baking powder into a
bowl and set aside. Remove the melted
chocolate from the heat and stir in the
sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla essence.
Fold in the flour, nuts and chocolate.
Pour the chocolate mixture into the
prepared cake tin. Place in the oven
and bake for 20-25 minutes. The top
should be firm but the inside should
feel soft when cooked. Allow to cool
in the tin. Remove the brownies from
the tin and cut into squares.
Who are Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta?
Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta (CNNG) was established by Údarás na
Gaeltachta in 2004 to manage and oversee the early childhood education
infrastructure of the naíonraí which are located in the Gaeltacht regions.
The CNNG main office is located in Carraroe, Co. Galway. There are regional
offices located in Mayo, Donegal and Waterford which facilitate the delivery
of early childhood education in these regions. Development Officers are
employed in each region and they cover Mayo, Galway, Meath, Donegal,
Waterford, Cork and Kerry. There are currently 82 naíonra sessions in
operation throughout the various regions and they employ 137 staff.
Vision
To enable all children (between two years and ten months and five years
of age) in the Gaeltacht regions to attend a high quality early childhood
education facility through the medium of Irish.
What is a naíonra?
A naíonra is a preschool facility which promotes the overall development of
the child. This is done through a play-based curriculum in Irish in a safe,
healthy, motivational, welcoming, happy and supportive environment.
The children attend the naíonra five days a week for three hours a day
under the supervision of suitably qualified and trained staff.
Activities and Resources
The naíonra offers a wide range of activities which include drama, puppetry,
crafts, exercise, music, song, rhymes, stories, dancing and many more
which are aimed at developing the independence, self-confidence, courage
and sense of pride and place in the young child. Some of the resources
which are available to the CNNG naíonraí are educational equipment (in
the naíonra itself and through the Toy Centre), various handbooks (the
‘Loinnir’ curriculum, Policies and Procedures Manual, Forms), training
courses in childcare, in service days, insurance group scheme, support
meetings and a regular newsletter.
The acquisition and enrichment of the Irish language
The naíonra operates solely through the medium of Irish. It is used to
communicate with the children and amongst the staff in the naíonra. The
‘Loinnir’ curriculum is used in conjunction with the language planning
scheme ‘Borradh’ to maximize the full developmental potential of the
children, including their language development potential. The naíonra
programme is structured to attend to the language requirements of the
children regarding the acquisition of the language and the enrichment of
the language in order to encourage and ensure the natural use of Irish
amongst the children. A strong emphasis is placed on Irish and on the local
dialect of the region in which the naíonra is located.
The advantages of bilingualism
International studies have indicated that bilingualism enhances the intellectual
and awareness capacities of the person.
There are more employment opportunities for people who are bilingual
(TG4, Raidió na Gaeltachta, EU Institutions etc.).
Being bilingual increases the self-respect and self-confidence of the child.
Being bilingual facilitates the learning of further languages in the future.
Being bilingual gives you access to a whole other sphere of heritage,
literature and music.
For further
information contact:
Pattie Stundún,
Development Officer
094 9543934
Tuilleadh eolais
le fáil ó:
Pattie Stundún,
Oifigeach Forbartha
094 9543934
Cé hiad Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta?
Bhunaigh Údarás na Gaeltachta an chuideachta, Comhar Naíonraí na
Gaeltachta Teo. (CNNG), in 2004, chun bainistiú agus riaradh a dhéanamh
ar infreastruchtúr luathoideachais na naíonraí atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht. Tá
lároifig CNNG lonnaithe ar an gCeathrú Rua i gContae na Gaillimhe. Tá fo-oifigí
ag CNNG i Maigh Eo, i nDún na nGall agus i bPort Láirge,
a dhéanann freastal ar sheirbhís luathoideachais na
Gaeltachta ina iomláine. Tá Oifigigh Forbartha
fostaithe sna réigiúin seo agus déanann
siad freastal ar Ghaillimh, ar Mhaigh Eo,
ar an Mhí, ar Dhún na nGall, ar Chiarraí,
ar Chorcaigh agus ar Phort Láirge. Tá 82
seisiún naíonra ar siúl ar fud na tíre faoi láthair
agus tá 137 duine fostaithe acu.
Fís
Deis a thabhairt do gach páiste sa
Ghaeltacht (idir dhá bhliain agus deich
mí agus cúig bliana d’aois) freastal ar
sheirbhís naíonra den chéad scoth
trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Cad is naíonra ann?
Is áis réamhscoile é an naíonra
a chuireann forbairt iomlán an
pháiste chun cinn. Déantar é
sin trí mheán an spraoi agus
na Gaeilge i dtimpeallacht atá
sábháilte, sláintiúil, spreagúil,
fáilteach, sonasach agus tacúil.
Tagann páistí le chéile sa naíonra, faoi
chúram Stiúrthóra, cúig lá sa tseachtain ar feadh trí huaire a’
chloig gach lá.
Gníomhaíochtaí agus acmhainní
Bíonn gníomhaíochtaí ar nós drámaíochta, puipéad, ceardaíochta,
aclaíochta, ceoil, amhrán, rann, scéalaíochta, damhsa agus cuid
mhaith eile ar siúl sa naíonra le neamhspleáchas, féinmhuinín,
misneach agus mórtas cine is ceantair a chothú sa pháiste óg. Ar na
hacmhainní a bhfuil fáil orthu, tá trealamh oideachasúil (sa naíonra
agus ón Ionad Bréagán), lámhleabhair (curaclam “Loinnir”, Polasaithe & Nósanna
Imeachta, Foirmeacha), cúrsaí cáilíochta i gcúram leanaí, cúrsaí inseirbhíse,
oiliúint, grúpscéim árachais, cruinnithe tacaíochta agus nuachtlitir rialta.
Sealbhú agus saibhriú na Gaeilge
Is í an Ghaeilge teanga an naíonra. Labhraítear Gaeilge sa naíonra i gcónaí
- leis na páistí agus i measc baill foirne an naíonra. Úsáidtear an clár
oibre “Loinnir” agus an scéim pleanála teanga “Borradh” le forbairt iomlán
a dhéanamh ar na páistí, forbairt teanga san áireamh. Tá clár oibre an
naíonra leagtha amach chun freastal go cuí ar riachtanais teanga na bpáistí
maidir le sealbhú agus saibhriú na Gaeilge, chun úsáid nádúrtha na Gaeilge
a chothú agus a bhuanú i measc na bpáistí. Cuirtear béim láidir ar Ghaeilge
agus ar chanúint an cheantair ina bhfuil an naíonra lonnaithe.
Buntáistí an dara teanga
Léiríonn taighde idirnáisiúnta go gcabhraíonn an dátheangachas le
cumas intleachta agus feasachta an duine.
Tá níos mó deiseanna fostaíochta ar fáil do dhaoine atá dátheangach
(TG4, Raidió na Gaeltachta, Institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh etc.).
Méadaíonn an dátheangachas féinmheas agus féinmhuinín an pháiste.
De thairbhe an dátheangachais, beidh sé níos éasca ag do pháiste
tuilleadh teangacha a fhoghlaim amach anseo.
Nuair a bhíonn dhá theanga ar a thoil ag duine, bíonn fáil ag an duine sin
ar oidhreacht, litríocht agus ceol na dteangacha sin ón ‘taobh istigh’.

we want to
hear from you
If you are working in Childcare i.e.
childcare provider, childminder etc, we
would love to hear what is happening
in your service…. Please send us in any
little news items or any details of any
events taking place in your service.
We will do our best to include same in
next edition of newsletter… If you can
provide photos too all the better.
where
to find us
Mayo County
Childcare
Committee
contact details:
Mayo County Childcare Committee,
First Floor, Chambers House,
Ellison St., Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Tel: 094 9047010
Email: mayochildcare@mayococo.ie
Website: www.mayochildcare.ie
Cashin Print, Castlebar. 094 9026622
Jim Power, Co-ordinator
Email: jpower@mayococo.ie
Mary Conway, Administrator
Email: maryconway@mayococo.ie
beach
fear bréige
seangáin
Angela Cope, Development Worker
Email: acope@mayococo.ie
Olivia Donohoe,
Development Worker
Email: odonohoe@mayococo.ie
bee
scarecrow
ants
Michelle Basquille,
Development Worker (job-share)
Email: mbasquil@mayococo.ie
féileachán
seilide
cuileog
Funded by the Irish Government
under the National Development Plan 2007-2013
butterfly
snail
fly
féar
hay/grass
coinín
rabbit
péist
worm
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the
information in this publication is accurate and
up to date. No responsibility for loss or distress
occasioned to any person acting or refraining
from acting as a result of material in this
publication can be accepted by Mayo County
Childcare Committee and/or their respective
servants or agents.
pónairí
oinniún
cabáiste
beans
piseanna
peas
onion
meacan dearg
carrot
cabbage
tornapa
turnip
Check out
our website
www.mayochildcare.ie
for a complete list of training events
organised by MCCC and other organisations...