Pre-School re-launched after US career break

Pre-School re-launched after US career break

By Maurice Garvey

A QUALIFIED pre-school teacher undertook a one-year career break in the USA – studying early years education psychology which has benefited the re-launch of her own Let’s Play Pre-School.

Knocklyon resident Pamela Birchall, established Let’s Play at her Orlagh Way home as a HSE / Tusla notified childcare service in 2010.

Pamela Birchalls playschool1

After her educational soujorn stateside, the pre-school has re-opened in time for the new school season.

Having worked in childcare for over 10 years, Pamela took a career break from June 2015 to July 2016 – travelling to California with her family when her husband was transferred for work.

While in Santa Barbara, Pamela attended the local city college and learned all the principles associated with the psychology to early years education.

Interestingly, she found that the American approach to early childhood education is very similar to the national framework for early childhood education in Ireland – namely that of Aistear and Siolta.

“I was really surprised that it was the same in the USA,” said Pamela.

“It is play-based and really all about the children’s interests, and how you expand that. We have based our programme on the inclusion of kids from different backgrounds, different beliefs, and welcome parent participation.”

Places are limited, with 10 children and two teachers for the class – open from Monday to Friday during the school year, from 9am to 12.30pm.

Pamela will be joined by another qualified teacher Paula Hearne.

Pamela said: “Paula is very excited to join Let’s Play and looks forward to building relationships with the children and parents in her care. She has a very warm and nurturing personality.

“We work together as a team and have regular staff meetings to develop our curriculum to suit each child’s individual interests.”

A different theme will be chosen each week, where kids can enjoy a varied range of activities, indoor and outdoor, including arts, crafts and gardening.

Pamela continued: “The pre-school is based on all of the themes and principles of Aistear and Siolta, which is now operational in most national schools. This helps the transition from pre-school to junior infants.

Let’s Play is linked to the national Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme.

Children are eligible for the ECCE scheme if they are aged over 3 years and not older than five-and-a-half years.

Let’s Play is open again for business on August 29.

The pre-school is enrolling kids aged from two-and-a-half, but places are limited – call Pamela at 089 4337150 for further details.

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