Introduction to Eden Childcare
Introduction
Team of staff
Our vision is simple and that is to provide the highest quality of childcare in our area. Everything we do has this ethos applied to it, from our building to our staff, our early learning programme to our nutritionally balanced menus. We have extensive policies and procedures in place to protect each child in our care. Professionalism, with a caring approach go hand in hand at Eden Childcare. We provide quality and safe childcare in an easily accessible countryside setting. We aim for the children to be happy in our care and for the parents to have peace of mind when they leave their children with us. We do a lot of outdoor activities in all weathers and as research shows it helps with anxiety and other behavioural issues in children. The use of our large outdoor space also will empower children and their imaginations and also address obesity and sedentary lifestyles and encourage outdoor play and activities. Our location is based a few minutes off the N20, halfway between Cork and Limerick. We usually open at 7am to facilitate commuters travelling, but at present due to COVID restrictions it is 7.30am to 17.30 Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year.
The team in Eden are of very high quality and and are carefully interviewed and employed to adoringly care for the chidren at Eden. It is a challenging job but each one of us have a very close bond and understanding of the little people in our care. We are honoured to be able to mind these children while their parents are busy at work or college. The staff are qualified in Early Years from Level 5 to Level 9 and are all Garda Vetted and fully trained in Child Protection, First Aid, Fire Safety and Manual Handling. I, as the manager have worked in a lot of environments and with all aspects of management. The great name we have earned is all teamwork and we have respect and openness for each other and opening each day is the beginning of another exciting day.
Edenchildcares History
2010
Eden Childcare was started
Eden Childcare was started on Monday September 13th, 2010 with two children in my care.
I gave up my full-time job during the recession due to the lack of quality childcare in our area and its surrounds. Child development is an area of huge interest to me and I believe the importance of the early years should never be underestimated.
I am also a registered general nurse, I trained in Limerick in early 1990’s and worked in the UK and Ireland for over 20 years. I worked in surgery, A&E, paediatrics and in HSE management and Infection Control. This continues to be a huge asset to my childcare business in many ways.
I had saved hard for the set-up costs and retrained in childcare by night and weekends. I completed a start your own business course with North Cork Enterprise Board.
This, together with my passion for quality childcare and my own knowledge the Eden journey began.
I had the space available at home and with minimal building alterations Eden Childcare was born.
2010
8 weeks later
We had 13 children with a lot more booked in for 2011.
The team now included me and 2 staff.
The purpose of Eden Childcare was to provide quality childcare. I was disappointed and angered with the standard of what was available in the North Cork area in 2006 onwards for my own children. I am a mother of 3 children.
Our children are our most treasured asset and they deserve the best start in life, and that very much should include their early years in the education system. They learn through play and Eden is very proud to excel in providing outstanding quality childcare from babies of 4 months to children of 12 years.
2010
later that year
In 2010 we were based in two rooms in my home.
I started with €3000 to have an extensive play area, rest and sleep room, reading corner, and large outdoor play area with a variety of equipment and toys to meet the needs of the different age groups.
We had space and staffing for 10 children a day.
After 2 years in business we planned for an extension to start in 2013.
2013
The expansion
In 2013 we expanded our service to include a purpose-built extension for a crèche and the existing garage was converted to a preschool, kitchen.
This is all based in the beautiful farming countryside of North Cork with 2 minutes access to the N20.
The staffing also increased. This was enabling us to provide additional services to our local community and its surrounds.
This would not only ensure the survival of a quality provider of childcare in our area but also of a valuable employer. We had a waiting list for children and when the project was completed, we provided 5 full time jobs. Three employees came out of unemployment.
The expansion will provide places for 21 more children and It includes a state of the art pre school with a full and exciting curriculum for the young children in our community.A large focus will be on our large outdoor space and this will be fully fitted out to facilitate lots of learning and fun and will include an art area, construction, water and sand corner. We will have a pet corner with dogs and hens.It includes nature walks and lots of learning with nature.
2017
7 years later
In 2017 with a full seven years in business. We have 75 children our books and a team of 9 staff. We have a
waiting list and arrived at another crossroads as to how to expand our space further
2019
we get bigger
In 2019 we built another classroom and now have 2 preschool rooms.
We have a full toddler room with a waiting list, and we have a full babyroom with families waiting for places.
2020
where we are now
In 2020 we cater for 54 children each day and have over 100 children registered. We have a team of 13 staff and recently celebrated the 10 birthday of Eden Childcare
We Are
Affordable
Schemes Available
National Childcare Scheme, CSSP, ECCE
Safety
Professional staff with Full training and Garda Vetting
Eden Childcare Team of staff
The team in Eden are of very high quality and and are carefully interviewed and employed to adoringly care for the chidren at Eden. It is a challenging job but each one of us have a very close bond and understanding of the little people in our care. We are honoured to be able to mind these children while their parents are busy at work or college. The staff are qualified in Early Years from Level 5 to Level 9 and are all Garda Vetted and fully trained in Child Protection, First Aid, Fire Safety and Manual Handling.
I, as the manager have worked in a lot of environments and with all aspects of management. The great name we have earned is all teamwork and we have respect and openness for each other and opening each day is the beginning of another exciting day.
The Team at Eden Childcare
The Childcare team is composed of the following:
- Manager/Owner Child Protection & First Aid Officer: Ms. Siobhán Duane- O’Connor
- Deputy Manager: Ms. Susan Lilley
- Fire Officers
- Nursery Room Childcare Practitioner & H&S Rep
- Nursery Childcare Practitioner & COVID Lead Representative
- Pre School Teacher & Deputy child protection
- After School Club Leader & Senior Montessori Teacher
- Junior Montessori Preschool Teacher & Data Protection Officer
- Childcare Practitioner In Daisy Toddler Room
- Childcare Practitioner Primrose Wobbler Room