Letterkenny

A Fun-Filled, Jam-Packed January!

We’ve had a very busy January welcoming lots of new faces to our outdoor settings. We’ve enjoyed experiencing the different types of weather that January brought and had fun exploring the ice and temperatures. We even had icicles in our river…

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We made boats for our puddles and found our favourite trees to climb.

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We had fun with art, mixing paints and gathering leaves for natural art creations.

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We also celebrated a birthday making our own cake in our Dutch oven.

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And today we celebrated the tradition of making crosses out of rushes for St. Brigid’s Day. What a busy, fun-filled and adventurous month that was! Looking forward to seeing what fun Spring brings….

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National Pyjama Day 2017

We had a great day supporting this year’s National Pyjama Day. Run by Early Childhood Ireland, it’s a great opportunity to support some amazing charities and this year all funds will go towards three children’s charities, each supporting children under 6 years of age with additional needs. The children had a great day and here’s some pics from Glen, Ray and Letterkenny…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Camp Fun In All Sorts of Weather

A lack of sunshine didn’t dampen our fun this summer and we really enjoyed hosting a series of week long summer camps throughout June, July and August. Each of the summer camps had a different theme combining the magic of the outdoors with science experiments, natural arts and crafts, drama and music, water fun, baking and getting fit. The children had a ball. Check out the pictures below…

 

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Three Early Childhood Ireland Awards For Glen Outdoor School

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.

 

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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.

 

Thumbs up from everybody at Glen Outdoor School.

The Benefits of Outdoor Winter Play

We have so few snow days in Ireland, so when they come along, it’s wonderful to make the most of them. Our children had great fun playing in the snow these past few days but aside from great fun, there are very real benefits to outdoor winter play….

Pure Fresh Air

The viruses that cause flu and colds are more common in the winter months. More often than not, these viruses circulate indoors, in closed environments. Snow is exhilarating, as is the pure fresh air we breathe on days like today.

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Strengthen Immune System

Playing outside is brilliant for children’s immune systems. There are numerous studies linking outdoor activity to additional health benefits.

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Stimulate the Imagination

Making a snowman is brilliant fun for children (not to mention adults!). It allows them to express themselves in play, creatively and freely, without being bound by pre-set limitations. The children’s creativity and imagination was unlimited as they worked and shaped the snow. And they were delighted to see their hard work transform the snow into their very own snowman. 

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Physical Exercise

Snow days provide so many great opportunities for outdoor fun and adventure. Playing in the snow provides children with unrestricted space and endless opportunities to stimulate their play, learning and physical development.

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Fun Memories

Wrapping up warm to play with friends and family in the snow gives children memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Building snowmen and making snow angels are great fun, even more so because children appreciate that these days don’t come along too often. 

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