Castleblayney Community Childcare ltd.

Castleblayney Community Childcare Ltd provides a non-profit child care service for children from 3 months until 12 years.
Our mission is to create a warm loving atmosphere, where properly trained staff provide care and attention, structured opportunities for appropriate play and all the nurturing, encouragement and understanding children need to develop as happy little individuals.
We want to facilitate you in any way we can and for this reason we are open from 7.50am to 6pm Monday to Friday. In order to provide the correct ratio of carers to children we insist that pre-booking is essential.

Our Objectives Are:

• To provide childcare facilities for parents who cannot afford private childcare, for lone parents, for parents seeking training and employment and for members of blayney blades women’s group.
• To comply with all department of health requirements for the care, protection and development of the children in our centre.
• To involve the parents in all major decisions regarding their child and to keep them informed of their Childs progress.
• To provide training and development for staff and an information service for parents.
• To manage the affairs of the service automatically effectively and efficiently.
• To be publicly accountable for all grants and monies received.

Admissions

• Access to Castleblayney Community Childcare Ltd. Is offered to all children inclusive of special needs, culture and religious backgrounds.
• Children must be 3 months old to attend this service and should be no older than primary school age.
• This service operates on a first come first served basis and children are placed on a waiting list if there are no places available at the time of enrolment.
• No child will be admitted until the parent/ carer has visited the service and is satisfied with the policies and procedures.
• Each parent/ carer must complete the full enrolment form before admittance and the child must start weaning in in their first week.
• Children must be brought to and from the service by the parent / carer or the person nominated in writing. All persons nominated must be 16yrs of age or over.

In our service we endeavour to run a High/Scope Programme.
High/Scope is an approach to early learning which identifies and builds on children’s strengths, interests and abilities. The High/Scope approach enables children to be actively involved throughout the whole play session.
The daily routine provides a consistent but flexible structure for the children and adults in the group.

Food and Nutrition

In regard to food and nutrition we at Castleblayney Community Childcare aim to provide a well balanced nutritious diet to the children in our care. We provide four nutritious meals comprising of one wholesome beakfast, one wholesome dinner and two small snacks. We discourage junk food and reserve treats for special occasions. In the case of babies we expect prepared bottles to be supplied which will be stored and heated under strict hygiene conditions. We will facilitate children with special dietary needs under strict instructions from parents.

Play Areas

Playrooms are provided for the following age groups.

The Baby Room

The Baby Room caters for children aged 3 months to 1 year approximately. It is divided into two sections to separate the crawlers and the younger babies. Each area is supplied with a range of toy’s to touch, taste, see and hear, offering stimulation for all the senses. The older babies take part in a routine which includes painting, playdough, sand and water play and outdoor play weather allowing. Adjacent to the baby room there is a sleep room where all the children have the opportunity to have a rest during their busy day; also adjacent to the baby room is a nappy changing room.

Waddler Room

The Waddler Room caters for children aged 1-2 years. Although we specify this age, we prefer taht the child is walking steadily before admittance. The waddlers have access to a variety of toys and equipment which meets their needs. The children follow a play routine and towards the end of their year in this area, they are introduced to the Highscope curriculum.

Toddler Room

This room caters for the children aged 2- 3 years. The toddlers have access to a variety of toys and equipment which meets there changing and varied needs. The toddlers follow the High/Scope programme which runs for a three hour session in the morning and a similar routine again in the afternoon. Off the main toddler room are the toddler’s toilets, a nappy changing area and an outdoor play area.

Active Learning Centre

This area caters for children aged 3-5 years. This room also follows the High/Scope programme (more in depth) daily, with a wide selection of toy’s and equipment to help to prepare our active learners for school. The active learning also has toilets located just of their room and they have access to an outdoor area also.

Out of School Service

Our out of school service runs from 2.00pm – 6.00pm Monday to Friday, catering for all school going children aged 4- 12 years. The service also opens 9am - 6 pm on In-Service days and school holidays. Our service also runs a summer camp during the school holidays catering for children aged 4-12 years which runs from 10.00am - 2.00pm. It offers a wide range of activities, and entertainment and day trips away to various adventure centres.

On a daily basis, we allow time for homework but stress that we are not a homework club as our staff are not qualified to assist with the childrens homework. We leave it to the parents to check their child's homework at home with them.