New preschool opening in Carnacon in September
By Tom Gillespie
CLAIRE Chapman has been working with children for over 25 years and she is now recruiting for a new preschool - Growing Minds Preschool - she is opening in Carnacon village in September.
The preschool is for ECCE September 2025 - free pre-school year children - and it will run for three hours a day, Monday to Friday, from 9.15 a.m. to 12.15 p.m.
Claire, who lives in Ballyheane, Castlebar, said: “Initially I will be catering for 11 children aged two years and eight months to five years old.
“The preschool is located next to the national school in Carnacon. It was an old building and it has all been renovated and it looks very modern. The outside area is lovely and very natural with great, safe space for the children to play and we will feature a play-based curriculum.
“I have been working with children for over 25 years. I started off as a primary school teacher in London where I worked for 10 years.”
She continued: “When I moved to Ireland I started working in a creche, which I ended up managing and during which time we won two national awards - community creche of the year - for two years running.
“Then I was running preschools and then I spent a bit of time at home with my two young children.
“I moved to Ireland 16 years ago and I just fell in love with the place. I only meant to stay for six months and I never went home. I ended up meeting my husband, Jetro Chapman from Carnacon. His parents are still in Carnacon. It was through his family that I heard there was a need for a preschool.
“People are welcome to come in and have a look and have a chat with me or they can call me if they want to ask any questions. I am looking for enrolments now and we will start in September.”
She continued: “I will have play-based activities. These activities will be based on the children’s interest and their needs. We will be outside as much as we can be.
“I want to encourage parents to be involved and participate in the different activities we will be doing.
“The children will have fun and they will be learning though play.
“So why choose us? Because we are a small group size, with a play-based learning curriculum, with experienced caring staff in a safe and nurturing environment, all in bright, engaging indoor and outdoor play areas.
“Parents are welcome to visit, have a chat, and view our space and see what makes our preschool so special.
“I will be running the preschool by myself initially and if I get over the 11 children I will be employing somebody else.”
Meanwhile the national school are trying to set up an after-school and a breakfast club.
* Growing Minds Preschool is located in Carnacon (F2 NY38) and Claire can be contacted on (085) 7052271 or email growingmindspreschool0@gmail.com.
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