Goodbye Playschool Hello Summer
About Our Playschool
Ardfinnan Community Playschool was established in 2004 with the aim to provide a safe stimulating and friendly environment in which children can grow and express themselves. A place where each child is cared for, listened to and their interests are catered for. Ardfinnan Community Playschool is registered with Early Childhood Ireland. It is a committee run, non- profit making group. We are a seasonal service operating over a 38 weeks year offering morning and afternoon sessions.
Our Curriculum
Our Curriculum is developed and taught through the Siolta Framework and the Aistear Curriculum . The framework is based on 12 Principles which guide the way we work in ECCE services. They guide how we organise our services, how we relate to children, families and to each other. Síolta also establishes 16 Quality Standards which will guide the way in which all early childhood care and education services work and develop in Ireland. The Standards cover all aspects of early childhood care and education delivery and practice. Aistear is the national curriculum framework for the education and care of children from birth to six years in Ireland, published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). It describes the types of learning that are important for babies, toddlers and young children. It can be used in different types of settings including children’s homes, child-minding, day care, preschool and school settings.
Childcare Funding
We work with the Early Childhood Care & Education Scheme and the National Childcare Scheme to help you get the education your children deserve. These support schemes help you receive funding for your children, parents can apply through the service of their choice. The Early Years Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Scheme is a government-funded initiative that provides up to two free academic years of preschool to children who have turned 2 years 8 months before the beginning of September of the upcoming academic year. September is the only entry point for this scheme.
If you need further assistance, why not give us a call and see how we can help you, or for more information click on the links provided.
Ardfinnan Community Playschool Parents Handbook
Throughout this handbook we would like the opportunity to tell you in a bit more detail what we are about. Please allow yourself some time in reading this handbook, it will help you understand how Ardfinnan Community Playschool is run and provides lots of practical points.
We recognise that as parents you are the first educators in your child’s life, and we are here to support you in that role. Through play children learn many life skills such as how to interact with others and different ways of thinking, at Ardfinnan Community Playschool we encourage children to explore the world around them through the medium of play.
Our Playschool's Latest News
Stay up to date on all our school news for Ardfinnan Community Playschool. We regularly share news on our school including our in-school events, our day-to-day activities and how we help your children grow and learn through our Aistear and Siolta framework.
Our Play Based Curriculum
Emergent Play Based Curriculum supported by Aistear & Síolta
Each child’s holistic development and learning is fully encouraged and supported through the implementation of a quality play-based curriculum informed by the principles of Síolta – The National Framework for Quality in Early Childhood Education; Aistear-- the early childhood curriculum framework and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Framework.
Identity & Belonging is about children developing a positive sense of who they are
Our educators recognize that children are often filled with curiosity about the world around them and through our curriculum we have the opportunity to support and develop a lifelong love of learning for each child. Our play-based curriculum supports planned learning, spur-of-the-moment learning, adult, and child led learning.
Wellbeing focuses on children developing as a person through a variety of play experiences
Children have a natural instinct to play, and as educators we support their play by facilitating their environment to include their interests, provide toys and equipment that stir their curiosity, give them the opportunity to think for themselves, allow them to make choices and decisions. Through play children have the opportunity to practice what they are learning.
Communicating is about developing in confidence sharing their experiences thoughts ideas and feelings with others
Through play children are encouraged to make sense of the world around them and put into practice the concepts and skills that they carry through to adult life. Our educators utilize the space to include each child’s interests, stimulating us to get involved through science experiments, arts and crafts, interest tables full of jigsaws, cutting, gluing, play dough and much more. We observe and document children’s interests, play and friendships and thereby forming the foundations of our curriculum, scaffolding their knowledge, and introducing new learning opportunities that encourage a lifelong curiosity in each child.
Exploring & Thinking is about children making sense of the things places and people in their world through a wide variety of play experiences children learn by interacting investigating and playing with others
Outdoor learning experiences through play work hand in hand with our play-based curriculum. Children are encouraged to engage with their environment, spending time in nature stimulates creativity and problem-solving skills, increases their physical well-being, concentration, and cognitive skills.