The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Top award for Keel childcare centre
IT was a night of jubilance in Keel last Thursday as Naoi Ionad na Cille formally celebrated the Early Years High Scope Accreditation Award they won in June.
Appreciative parents and children were present at the centre to see Imelda Madigan, consultant of High Scope Ireland Institute, presenting staff with their hardearned plaque. The accreditation rewards excellence under the High Scope childcare approach, and for the Keel centre, this recognition was the result of five years’ worth of staff training and development.
“The childcare service underwent tremendous change over the past number of years to meet and achieve the standards expected by High Scope Ireland”, Centre Manager Joanne O’Connor told The Kerryman.
“This accreditation is a great achievement for everyone involved in the process, which has included children, parents, staff, management, and the board. Community involvement was at the centre of this, and without it, we couldn’t have achieved our goal.”
“Just two child care centres in the county have this award in their cabinet, and I must say that adds to the pride we’re feeling right now.”
Joanne also thanked Skillnet, who provided funding for the training and development of Naoi Ionad na Cille’s staff, explaining that their assistance was pivotal.
High Scope is an International approach to early childhood care and education, and has bases in both Dublin and Fermanagh.
The central belief of the approach is that children construct their own learning by doing and being involved in working with materials, people and ideas. The approach has been shaped by 40 years of research and practice.
Imelda Madigan praised the staff for acquiring such high standards in its work, and echoed the Early Years Chief Executive, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, who recently congratulated Naoi Ionad Na Cille for achieving the accreditation.