Meet the team:

Qualifications:

  • Masters in Education, NUIM
  • FETAC Level 6 in Childcare
  • LINC Training as an Inclusion Co-Ordinator.
  • Honours Bachelor of Science in Management Degree
  • Diploma in Crèche Management
  • Certificate in Team Leading
  • Diploma in Montessori Education 3 – 6 years
  • Diploma in Child Psychology
  • Train the Trainer level 6
  • First Responder training.
  • Always Children First
  • Fire Safety Training
  • Manual Handling

Years working in Early Education Sector:  20 years.

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

My passion is teaching children and observing how they navigate their educational journey at this young age.  I am particularly interested in Children’s Rights and completed my Masters dissertation on this topic.  I enjoy creating meaningful play based environments for children to explore.  I love seeing the children grown up as they move from our baby room through the rooms up to our Senior Afterschool Room and onto secondary school.  I feel honoured to be part of their educational journey as grow into teenagers.

I am also a lecturer on the Batchelor of Early Childhood Teaching and Learning Degree in Maynooth University.  The topics I lecture in are Dominant Discourses, Leading and Developing Practice, Philosophy of Education, Reflective Practice and Professional Practice.  I love lecturing and this keeps me at the cutting edge of everything that is happening in the industry.

Other interests: I enjoy reading, jogging and learning new things.

Qualifications:

  • Food Safety
  • HACCP training
  • First Aid Responder Training
  • Fire training
  • Manual Handling

Years working within the Kitchen:  Over 30 years experience working within the food industry.

Reasons:  I love working in the Kitchen:

I run the kitchen in Child’s Play. I have 30 years experience working with food in many different countries and settings. I am qualified in Food Safety and HACCP and one of the nominated First Aid First Responders in the building. The most enjoyable part of my job is watching the children’s tastes and love for food grow as they get older and their desire to cook and prepare food is embraced and given an outlet within their learning environment. All of us in the kitchen take pride in the quality of food we produce with an onus on fresh and healthy meals prepared daily for the children. 

I also own Food School, a cookery school for children, teenagers and adults.  In Food School we operate classes for all age groups, run birthday parties, hold private lessons and do outdoor catering.

Qualifications:

  • MA in Child, Family and Community TU (Higher second level).
  • BA(Hons) in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning Maynooth University in early Childhood Education Level 8 (First class Honours),
  • Supervision of care Level 6
  • Train the Trainer level 6 (distinction),
  • Manual handling
  • First Responder training.

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

35 + years.

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I am passionate about what I do, I enjoy developing play-based learning environments for children based on their interests and observing and extending their play experiences to support their cognitive and social skills. I have been in Child’s Play since 2008 and in that time have developed strong relationships with families and their children through the generations. As a manager I am now across all the rooms from baby to afterschool and enjoy the day to day challenges of running a full-time day service. I have continued my journey of Continuous Professional Development throughout my time at Child’s Play developing my skills in all areas of Learning and Care. And now act as a mentor to other staff members just starting out to ensure quality practice and provision across our settings.

I am also a part time placement tutor for DCU students who are studying a BECE Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and enjoy supporting and training the students in practice. I really enjoy this aspect of my work as I feel it is important to share my knowledge and experience in order to support the professional educators of the future.

Other interests:

I enjoy Yoga, horse riding and walking in my free time. 

Qualifications

  • BA in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education Level 7
  • Qualified First Aid Responder and have training in equality & diversity, manual handling, fire safety, children first.

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

I have been working in Child’s Play over 10 years.

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I have always wanted a career in childcare and have really loved working with all the children and families over the years. I have watched many children grow up and joined them on their journey of learning, developing milestones and watched them become independent as they grew. The children & families are a huge part of the workplace and I really love the communication we all share together with the staff, children and families.

Other interests:

My interest are walks, shopping, reading and music.

Qualifications:

  • BA(Hons) in Early Childhood Care and Education Level 8
  • First Responders First Aid Programme,
  • Equality and diversity,
  • Children’s First,
  • Manual Handling and
  • Fire Safety.
  • Currently undertaking the LINC training to become an inclusion co-ordinator. 

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

4 years.

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

There are many reasons why I love working with children but the one that stands out the most to me is that each day the children always surprise me in taking control of their learning and development, showing a great level of independence and confidence in themselves to explore. 

My interest:

Arts and crafts especially painting and decorating. I also have a great interest in sports especially team sports such as basketball and rugby. 

Qualifications:

  • BA (ORD) Early Childhood Studies Level 7
  • Level 5 & 6 in Early Childcare and Education 
  • First Responders First Aid Programme,
  • Child Protection,
  • Equality & diversity training,
  • Manual Handling,
  • GDPR training. 

Years working in Childcare:

9 years’ experience 

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I have been working in Childs Play for 4 years now and I love my job. I love working with the children and families and the feeling of being part of a community. I am very lucky to work alongside a wonderful team doing what we love and supporting each other always. It is a pleasure to work with the families & I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me in Childs Play. 

Qualifications:

  • BA Honours Level 8 Early Childhood Education and Care. 
  • FETAC Level 5 Childcare and Sociology.
  • Paediatric First Aid Training 
  • Children’s First Training 
  • Fire Safety Training
  • Manual Handling 

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector: 

14 years 

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

Working in the Early Years has always been my passion. The children represent hope and they are our future. To observe them grow in confidence and learn through play in our indoor and outdoor learning spaces on a daily basis gives me great pleasure. 

Other interests:

I love to bake and cook! I have a huge interest in it and it is a hobby of mine! I do enjoy incorporating this into the classroom, which is mainly an extension from play dough and imaginary kitchen play experiences! 

I also love to learn and discover new things. I learn each day from our amazing children and in turn, I teach them value for oneself and the importance of valuing others. 

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Pedagogy of Primary and Preschool education
  • Masters Degree in Early Education
  • Qualified teacher status certificate in Romania,
  • First aid,
  • Manual handling,
  • Fire safety,
  • Always Children First,
  • Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Charter and Guidelines -AIM

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

6 years in total: 2 years in Romania as a preschool teacher; nearly 4 years in Child’s play.

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I love working with children because they are our future. I enjoy observing the children playing because every idea that they have represents a new path that we are going to follow in our class. In the same time, every milestone that each child achieves, puts a smile on my face and makes me feel like I accomplished something myself.

Interests:

Walks in nature, traveling

Qualifications:

  • Degree in Early Childhood Education, level 8,
  • First Aid,
  • Children’s First,
  • Manual Handling,
  • Child psychology

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

4 years in Spain and 6 years in Ireland

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I love the children and all their spontaneity, I love that every child is different, and they are all amazing, I love being able to see how they explore and achieve their goals. I love that they make your day different and never the same, and most of all I love their sincerity, the way they see the world and their huge capacity of love.

Other interests:

My hobbies are photography, papercraft and watching movies.  

Qualifications:

  • Level 8 BA Early Childhood Education and Care
  • Level 5 Childcare
  • First Aid
  • Manual Handling
  • Children’s First
  • Fire Safety

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector / Kitchen:

6 years in practice

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I love working in the Early Years because, as educators, we help to create entertaining and engaging, creative classrooms that aid the children’s developmental skills. Each day is as unexpected as the last and brings new experiences for us as well as the children in our care.

Other interests:

Some of Interests include baking, travelling and drawing.

Qualifications:

  • FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Supervision in Childcare
  • FETAC Level 5 Montessori Diploma 2.5 – 6 years
  • FETAC Level 5 Advanced Primary Montessori Diploma 6 – 12 years
  • Paediatric First Aid
  • Manual Handling
  • Aistear Awareness
  • Children First
  • Always Children First
  • Diversity, equality and inclusion Certificate.

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

18 years

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I love spending time with children in a safe and stimulating environment where everyone can express their personal interests and become their own teacher.

Other interests

Baking

Qualifications:

  • QQI Level 6 in Childcare and Education,
  • FETAC Level 5 in Childcare and Education,
  • First Aid,
  • Fire Training,
  • Children’s First,
  • Manual Handling.

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

 11 years

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I really enjoy watching the children learn and play and meeting new milestones.  I love to make learning fun and create a warm, safe, happy environment to meet each children’s needs. I enjoy communicating with the parents.

Qualifications:          

  • FETAC Level 5 in Childcare and Education, currently completing FETAC Level 6
  • First Aid
  • Fire Training
  • Children’s First
  • Manual Handling

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

7 years.

Reasons I love working in the Early Years Sector:

I love working in the childcare sector as I love working with children and being able to help them enhance and promote their skills that they already hold in order for them to be the best they can be.

Interests:

I like coming up with creative and fun activities. I like reading and love listening to music

Qualifications:

  • Level 6 Supervision in Early Childhood Care and Education
  • Diploma in Montessori Education
  • Children’s first,
  • First Aid,
  • Fire training,
  • Manual Handling
  • Siolta in Practice: An Introduction to the National Quality Framework.

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

13 years

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

For me, the reason is because every day brings a new adventure with the children, from the moment their little feet enter into their play environment a new world of possibilities opens up for them. Watching as they make discoveries, take on challenges, develop friendships and recognise their own achievements is something I never tire of.  Knowing that I can be part of their journey is a joy.  The little conversations and the funny things that happen always make me smile and recognise just how much I can make a positive impact on their day while in my care.

Qualifications:

  • FETAC Level 5 in Childcare and Education
  • FETAC Level 5 in Childcare with Special Needs
  • Paediatric First Aid
  • Manual handling

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

6 years

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I love watching and supporting each and every child grow and achieve their own individual developmental needs.

Qualifications:

  • FETAC Level 5 in Childcare and Education, currently completing FETAC Level 6
  • FETAC Level 5 in Special Needs
  • First Aid Responder Program
  • Manual handling,
  • Fire safety,
  • Children’s First

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

11 years

Reasons I love working in the Early Years Sector:

I’ve been working with Child’s Play for 7 years and love every bit of my work. I began working in childcare after setting up my own community playgroup and ran it voluntarily for 4 years before starting with Child’s Play.  I also mind a child who is now 11 and have looked after him from 6 weeks old. I have been running a figure dancing class for the past 23 years, which is also voluntary.  I love working with children.

Qualifications:

  • FETAC Level 5 in Childcare and Education and completing FETAC Level 6,
  • First Aid,
  • Fire Training,
  • Manual Handling,
  • Children’s First and
  • Special Needs Assistant 

Number of years in the Early Years Sector:

4 years

Reason I love working in the Early Years:

I’ve always loved working with children, even from a young age I was constantly babysitting for everyone. It’s so rewarding to watch the children grow throughout the years. The sense of community within the sector is wonderful and I love the genuine interactions and developing the different relationships and friendships. It’s such a positive environment seeing so many smiling faces every day. 

Qualifications:

  • FETAC Level 6: Childcare supervisor,
  • First aid,
  • Introduction to children first
  • Manual handling. 

No. of years in childcare:

3 years

Reasons I love working in childcare:

I’ve always loved babies from a very young age, When I was old enough I started to take care of and baby sit my younger cousins. Throughout my teenage years this would be the highlight of my week, getting to babysit at the weekends was like a reward to me. I always knew I wanted to work with children. After my sister gave birth to my niece and nephew, I finally made the decision to educate myself on children. 

Other interest:

I enjoy reading in my spare time and being active.

Qualifications:

  • FETAC Level 6 in Childcare and Education,
  • First aid

Number of years working within the Early Education sector:

1 year 

Reasons why I love working in the Early years:

I love seeing a smile on all of the children’s faces.  I love being part of the reason why they are learning and growing every day. I have always wanted to work with children from a very young age and have always enjoy babysitting. It is a privilege to be playing a role in the children’s development.

Qualifications:

  • FETAC Level 5 in Childcare and Education,
  • Fire safety,
  • Children’s first,
  • First aid.
  • Manual Handling

Number of years working within the early education sector:

4 years

Reasons I love working in the early years:

The best thing about working in childcare is creating bonds and friendships with all of the children. Teaching the children new things every day and knowing you have made a small difference is very rewarding. Also, arriving into work each day and being greeted with smiles and cuddles is one of the greatest feelings in the world.

Interests:

Working with children, Cooking and socialising with family and friends. 

Qualifications

  • HACCP trained
  • Qualified First Aider
  • Fire Safety
  • Manual Handling

Number of years working within the Kitchen:

I have been working in kitchens for the last 21 years.

Reasons I love working in the Kitchen:

I love working in kitchens as I have a passion for working with and creating healthy food.

I love working as part of the team in Childs Play and enjoy mixing with the children on a daily basis.

Qualifications

  • Completed Level 5 and currently in the middle of completing my level 6.
  • First Aid,
  • Manual Handling,
  • Children’s First,
  • Mini Me Yoga,
  • Calming strategies,
  • Equality diversity and inclusion training.

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

6 years

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I love working in the Early Years Sector because I love seeing all the children’s smiles every morning and hearing all their stories. I also enjoy helping them to promote all aspects of their development and watching them grow. 

Qualifications:

  • FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education,
  • Fire Safety,
  • First Aid, 
  • Manual Handling.

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

1 ½ years

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I love working in early years because you get to be a small part of each child’s life as they grow up. I also love helping the children with the development of their skills.

Other interests:

Reading and baking. 

Qualifications:

  • FETAC Level 5 in Childcare and Education
  • First Aid
  • Manual handling
  • Fire Safety
  • Children First
  • Aistear and Siolta training
  • Food hygiene

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:

8 ½ years

Reasons I love working in the Early Years:

I love getting to explore and learn with the children every day, getting to see what they see and hear is amazing and been a part of helping them is very rewarding as it gives you a new sense of life.

Qualifications:

  • HACCP Level 1.
  • First Aid,
  • Fire Training,
  • Children’s First,
  • Manual Handling,

Number of years working within the Kitchen:

10 years.

Reasons I love working in the Kitchen:

One of the main reasons why I love working in the kitchen is for my passion of cooking, I love to cook and I love the reaction of the children when I give them their food and they are so happy.

Other interests:

I love to bake.

Qualifications:

  • Level 6 in Childcare and Supervision
  • Level 6 in Childcare
  • First Aid
  • Fire Safety Training
  • Children’s First
  • Manual Handling.

Number of years working within the Early Education Sector:
2 years

Reasons I love working in the Early Years Sector:
I get to see the growth and development of the children on a day to day basis while helping the children develop new skills. I also love learning about each child’s different interests and how we can expand on their interests.
Other interests:
Reading, Cycling, Walking, Cooking, and Baking.

Scroll to Top