Community creche has an integrated recipe for success
WE came for humble beginnings in a rented, vacant GAA dressing room at Clondrohid GAA grounds where we started up a community pre- school in 1999.”
So says Gobnait Kelleher speaking of Clann Aire, a glowing by-product of the many activities of Clondrohid Community Development- Association.
In 2001 the group had securedd a grant to purchase a site andd build a purpose built centre that catered for 20 sessional pre-school children and 10 full day care children in the creche. Clann Aire then opened in February 2003
But, by 2004 they were in trouble for space, such was the demand, and in 2005 they opened their after school service.
In January 2007 they secured additional capital funding and extended the original building to more than twice its original size, such was the demand for all the areas of services they were providing.
“We are located at the rear of the primary school, which is ideal as we can walk the children to and from school each day,” says Gobnait.
They can cater for whole families, from babies of six months upto 11 years at after school. “That’s a huge bonus for parents they can drop them off at 80am daily,” says Gobnait.
“What we currently have is a ‘ home from home’ but it doesn’t mean we can’t grow our services and I’ve no doubt that we will.”
The management and staff of Clann Aire aspire to the provision of high quality childcare, by providing children with a safe and trusting environment, by encouraging the children to become confident, self-sufficient and good decision makers – all of which are incorporated into the daily routine.
They also value and highly regard the input of all parents.
Clann Aire is currently aiming to movemo away from the paper work that takes up so much ttime to a computerised system where everything is stored electronically (a system called ‘childpath. ie’, a software program tthat is designed to cut oout most of the paperwork and allow staff share more information with the parent by sharing photos and a snap of ttheir child’s day). “This wwill free up the girls to have more interaction time with the children in their rooms. That’s what’s important in our business,” says Gobnait.
“We are humbled even by this nomination, but if I were to think why? I don’t hesitate for one moment by saying because of our staff. This business wouldn’t be in operation for the past 15 years but for these people, and I’ve been privileged to have been here since the start and to have watched this business flourish they feel an ownership of the place I think it’s like their baby and they have nurtured it like they would it was their own. They have a fantastic relationship with all of the families that are attending and there is a mutual respect. With a recipe it cannot but succeed.”