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We’re settling into 2017 really well and enjoying getting back into the swing of things. Welcome back to all the Early Learning Schools’ children in Glen, Letterkenny and Ray and a big welcome to all the new children who have just started their ECCE place.
It’s an exciting time for children and parents and we’re looking forward to helping them create some very special memories.
We’ve lots of exciting learning planned for this term as well as plenty of games, art and crafts and outdoor fun.
Here are some pics of the children in action on their first few weeks back.
We had a lot of fun at our overnight Bear Grylls Summer Camp. It was a wonderful experience for staff and children alike…camping outdoors, making hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows on our outdoor fire, going fishing first thing and preparing, cooking and eating our catch of the day!
The fun that the children are having on our summer camps proves that, (once you dress appropriately), there is simply no such thing as bad weather!
We really enjoyed our night at the Early Childhood Ireland ‘Play on the Brain Conference’ in Dublin last weekend. It was great to meet so many other childcare professionals around Ireland and it was lovely to catch up with old friends.
We were thrilled that the Glen Outdoor School won two learning stories’ awards, as well as an overall award on the night. It really was the icing on the cake.
The conference was also very useful in terms of discussing key issues affecting our profession including commercial rates and VAT, ECCE issues, inspection processes, support for children with additional needs, as well as issues around recognising the childcare sector as a profession with appropriate pay and conditions.
Congratulations to all our staff and to the parents and children who support us. We couldn’t do it without everyone’s help and it really is a great team effort.
We’re very excited about the upcoming Early Childhood Ireland ‘Play on the Brain’ conference which is being held this weekend, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April at the Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin. The two day event will involve over 40 inspirational early years’ practitioners and practices from around the country and will recognise the positive impact they have on children and families. The awards will be presented by Nóirín Hayes, visiting Professor at the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin and our very own Glen Outdoor School team will receive two ‘Learning Stories’ awards. We are also in the running to receive an ‘Overall’ award at the conference.
The first award is in recognition of The Glen Outdoor School “Enormous Turnip” activity. The activity takes places in autumn, the same time as harvest season and the children re-enacted The Enormous Turnip story so they could harvest their own pumpkin. The children put so much effort into it and they had to pull and transport the pumpkin. Parents often ask, how will we do all this and we reply, the Glenswilly way….
The second award, which has been shortlisted for the overall award, is in recognition of “Our Christmas Play”. The children gathered their ideas of what they’d like their Christmas play to look like and then went around and gathered up all natural, outdoor materials to create their stage and setting. It was truly wonderful to watch children use their imagination and create something brilliant from the materials that surrounded them. They’re hoping to have something very special for next year too.
Early Childhood Ireland represents over 3,500 childcare professional members who support over 100,000 children and their families through preschool, afterschool and full day-care provision nationwide. We’re honoured to be recognised in this way and we look forward to a great night on Friday. For more information on the awards and Early Childhood Ireland contact Carmel Doyle 087 247 3537.
We were delighted to join members of Letterkenny’s Cathedral Quarter committee in Sentry Hill last week for a tree planting ceremony. The tree was part of our entry into the White Winter Garden Competition in the Church Lane last December. We donated it to the committee as a symbol of the re-growth and regeneration currently taking place in Letterkenny’s Cathedral Quarter.
Committee members Donnan Harvey and Mary Hegarty were present at the replanting of the Green Beech tree. The Cathedral Quarter originally began as the Save the Church Lane campaign. Since its formation last year, the project has gathered significant momentum in its efforts to regenerate the historical Church Lane. The long term goal is to create a hidden treasure in the heart of Letterkenny for locals and tourists to enjoy.
With Paddy’s Day fast approaching, there will be a series of outdoor concerts in Letterkenny’s Cathedral Quarter on Saint Patrick’s Day, this Tuesday, 17th March 2015. Parade spectators will be kept entertained by a variety of traditional music and dance performances on Letterkenny’s Church Lane. The Cathedral Quarter committee will also be participating in the Letterkenny St. Patrick’s Day Parade. There promises to be lots of colour and a great atmosphere and organisers are hoping for a large turnout to celebrate our national holiday.
For more information log onto www.facebook.com/SaveTheChurchLane.
Happy New Year to everyone. Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015. We had a lovely festive break and are looking forward to the start of a brand new year. Before Christmas, we were delighted to win best group entry in The Cathedral Quarter’s ‘White Winter Christmas Garden’ which was unveiled on the Church Lane in Letterkenny. The initiative invited schools in the town to design and create Christmas window boxes for the Cathedral Quarter and here’s our winning entry…
And here is our 2015 calendar, which is going down a treat….
