St. Catherine’s Community Childcare Service
Our Services
Creche
St. Catherine’s offers a sessional crèche service for Wobblers (12 to 30 months) and Toddlers (30 months to 3 years plus). We offer 28 places. The service opening times are 9.15am-1pm or 9.15am-2.30pm.
Pre-School Service & ECCE scheme
The Pre-School provides an opportunity for children aged 3 years to school-going age to learn through play. There are 22 places in the ECCE or free pre-school service and 16 in the junior pre-school room. Our Junior Preschool is open from 9.15am – 1.00pm while the ECCE free preschool service is open from 9.30am – 12.30pm.
After Schools Programme
After Schools provides a play based developmental programme including homework support. It gives children up to 4th class an opportunity to socialise and play in a safe, secure environment outside school time. We have 34 after schools places per day and we open from 1.30pm – 5.30pm.
Did you know?
- Approximately 120 children attend St. Catherine’s Childcare service every year
- The Childcare Service enables parents participate in employment, training or education in St. Catherine’s and other centres by providing access to affordable childcare and family support
- Parents and carers are supported with their parenting by staff providing practical advice and support in areas including nutrition and effective play. This leads to observable improvements in their children’s wellbeing
- Parents and teachers report that children attending the After School service become better at completing their homework and develop good homework habits
About St. Catherine’s Childcare Service
St. Catherine’s Childcare Service is a Community Childcare Service. We have provided high quality, child centred childcare and early years education in Carlow since. We are committed to providing a service that focuses on the individual needs of the child and providing a warm and welcoming environment for children and their parents and carers.
St. Catherine’s Childcare service is an Early Childhood Ireland Centre of Excellence childcare facility.
Parent Statement 2023 St Catherines
Service Calendar ECCE St Catherines
Our Staff
Our staff are our biggest asset and we promote and encourage their professional development and on-going training. All our childcare staff are fully experienced and qualified to a minimum of QQI Level 5. The majority of our staff are qualified at levels 6 and 7 while we also have staff qualified with a Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care. Our Childcare Manager, Judith Byrne has over 15 years experience in Childcare. Both Judith and our Assistant Manager, Pauline Byrne have the Level 8 Early Childhood Education and Care Degree.
St. Catherine’s is fortunate in that our staff turnover is virtually zero ensuring our children get to build long term relationships with their carers. All of our Childcare team, including staff, students and volunteers are Garda Vetted prior to commencing in our service.
Our Facilities and Curriculum
Our childcare services are committed to providing your child with positive play and learning experiences while in our care. Our play-based programme is influenced by the Síolta Quality Framework as well as the principles and themes of the Aístear Curriculum, including wellbeing, identity and belonging, communicating and exploring and thinking.
Our rooms are set out in a range of themes and interests including the following:
- Block Area
- Dramatic Play Area
- Toys & Games Area
- Art Area
- Library Area
- Discovery Area
- Sand and Water Area
- Music and Movement Area
The daily routine of each room involves planning activities that cover all aspects of child development including their physical, social, emotional and language development.
Our Funding/Fees
As a Community Childcare service the Kilkenny Road Community Childcare and Family Centre is registered with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to provide 3 Government schemes:
- CCS (Community Childcare Scheme)
- ECCE(Early Childhood Care and Education – Free Preschool Year)
- CETS (Childcare Education and Training Scheme)
Under the above schemes reduced childcare fees are available for eligible families. For more information on fees please contact us directly.
St Catherine’s Childcare Service
St. Joseph’s Road,
R93 T4C6
Carlow.
Phone: 059 9138704
Fax: 059 9138701
E-mail: childcare@catherines.ie
To find out more about our Community Childcare and Family Centre on Kilkenny Road please Click Here
Pauline Byrne
Tel: 059 9138704
Email: childcare@catherines.ie