Valerie Gaynor, Creative Kids and Co
Creative Kids and Co has been operating in the Assumption Primary School in Walkinstown since 2009. We provide a breakfast service, 5 preschool sessions per day (over 3 rooms) and school-age childcare. The setting is open from 7.30am to 6pm, 46 weeks per year.
Creative Kids and Co has been operating in the Assumption Primary School in Walkinstown since 2009. We provide a breakfast service, 5 preschool sessions per day (over 3 rooms) and school-age childcare. The setting is open from 7.30am to 6pm, 46 weeks per year.
The advantages are many
Children: the transition from home to preschool to primary school is easier as they are comfortable in their surroundings and know what to expect. They are planting firm seeds in their community and they move on with their peers.
Families: it is convenient and a sense of community develops. Parents can access primary school supports such as English classes for parents who don’t speak English, multicultural days, meeting local parents etc. Enrolment to the primary school is easy.
Providers: we have a guaranteed enrolment each year. We have access to large common spaces outdoors such as the yard and green area. We have an enclosed garden that is a natural outdoor classroom. We have access to a sensory garden. We have access to a playground with safety surface and to the school hall for graduations, parent meetings and for energetic play during very bad weather. Our rooms are square class rooms and feel spacious as there are high ceilings. There are opportunities for shared learning and sharing resources between the school and the pre-school.
There are some disadvantages
Morning drop off times are difficult, due to traffic and parking. Operating times and holidays are not the same as the pre-school is open for 46 weeks per year. There can be assumptions made that the pre-school is part of the primary school and the management functions are the same. There is no parents room or any access to a space for parents to relax together. There is a good distance to walk from the street into the grounds. There is no space to store buggies, bikes or scooters. There is no reception area.
The size of the premises and numbers of children can be scary for small children. Toilets are not adjacent to the rooms, which is problematic for children and staff. The corridors can be cold.
