Programs
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world". Nelson Mandela
Toddler Room
This caters for the 2-3 year old children and is specifically designed with low level furniture, which encourages the children to develop their co-ordination. At this age each child loves to explore and experiment with everything in the room. They are becoming more independent so we adapt the routine to cater for their needs. The children are given lots of love and attention as they are becoming independent.
The environment is play based with indoor and outdoor activities planned, based on observations that include - sand and water play, puzzles, painting, sticking, drawing etc.
Daily routines and activities are stimulating and promote social interactions and skills, language, physical, social and emotional development.
Playgroup 1 & 2
We have 2 ECCE Preschool rooms which offer the Government Scheme for 3hrs per morning, 5 mornings per week, 38 weeks of the year from September to June.
In delivering the ECCE Scheme to all our Preschool children, Knollcrest Nursery adheres to the principles of Siolta and Aistear. See Education
We provide every child in our care with the very best education, encouraging learning through a fun, safe and loving environment. We aim to help prepare each child for the transition to primary school as for many this is their first experience of early learning, the starting–point of their education and social development outside the home.
Montessori
Following on from Playgroup and with the inclusion of the Aistear and Siolta Frameworks the children attending Knollcrest Nursery are introduced to the Montessori Method of Education from the age of 3.5 years. We have two fully equipped classrooms.
The Montessori curriculum is divided into 5 areas:
1. Practical life
2. Sensorial
3. Language
4. Arithmetic and
5. Culture
The children are respected, supported and encouraged in everything they do. Independence and confidence in nurtured and valued in all their daily activities.
Each child is respected to develop at his / her own pace, reaching their own potential.
The children in the Montessori also get the chance to experience many extra-curricular activities during their Montessori Year e.g. Christmas nativity play, School Tour, Walks and visits to areas iof interest in the village and involvement in local events.
Parent teacher meetings are held at the end of the school year and children who are going to national school are given a transition report which is then given to the teachers in the schools with the parent’s permission.
After School
Knollcrest Nursery and After-School - offers afterschool care for families who attend the local national schools.
This service starts at 8am where children can be dropped off. The children are cared for and then walked to Scoil Mhuire at 8.40am for start of their school day.
We also do the collection from Scoil Mhuire at 1.20pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm each day.
On arrival from school each child is offered a freshly cooked dinner.
After- dinner the children are supervised and given assistance with their homework.
The after-school children have a designated “Den” which is a comfortable and relaxing space where the boys and girls can chill after school and enjoy quiet time.
Again Outdoor Play and activities are considered very important for the after-school children.