14. Best Outdoor Childcare Service Provider - County Carlow Jan23631 Rathoe Community Childcare is a not-for-profit community based childcare facility, located in the village of Rathoe directly across from Scoil Phadraig’s National school. Governed by a local voluntary committee, the facility was originally established in 2006 as an after-school service in the local Rathoe Parish Hall and has since grown into a purpose-built pre-school and afterschool service for the local community and surrounding areas. With a goal to provide the children and families of the local community with a professional, high-quality, and low-cost service, the centre is committed to promoting equal opportunities for all children and families. It gives the children within the service a safe and friendly environment where they make friends, grow in confidence, and explore the world around them. As a rural service, Rathoe Community Childcare is very fortunate to be surrounded everyday by the magnificent views and the many benefits that nature has to offer. This unique natural outdoor facility and seamless approach sets it firmly apart from many other childcare facilities within the area. Parents understand the physical and mental benefits of nature and the outdoors, which is why the centre continues to be the first choice for childcare. “Outdoor play, and its connection to nature, is at the very core of the centre’s everyday Providing quality childcare, with an emphasis on nature and outdoor play, Rathoe Community Childcare offers the local area a service which is second-to-none. We find out more as the organisation is named in the Irish Enterprise Awards 2023. teaching,” further explains Manager Barbara Byrne. “We are passionate about the importance of the outdoors and the many benefits it has for children’s physical development, mental health and wellbeing.” As well as Barbara, the centre’s highly trained staff support the children’s choice to play indoors or outdoors with both environments fully equipped to optimise their learning and development. “At the heart of our thinking is that all children have a natural affinity for play,” Barbara continues. “We do not have to teach children how to play, they are biologically designed to do so. Natural play stresses the importance of physicality, movement and is vital for children’s health and development. Children have an essential need for sensory stimulation and movement, and we believe that this is best found in a natural outdoor environment.” Recently, Rathoe Community Childcare was recognised in the Irish Enterprise Awards 2023 and bestowed with the title of Best Outdoor Childcare Service Provider - County Carlow. Now, as the future beckons, Barbara and the dedicated team continue to showcase the unique outdoor facility to a wider community and continue to inspire meaningful play experiences, offering children valuable learning opportunities in order to nurture their independence, selfesteem, social skills, resilience and create a long-lasting love for nature and the outdoors in a secure, inclusive, and fun environment. Contact: Barbara Byrne Company: Rathoe Community Childcare Web Address: www.rathoecommunitychildcare.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==