The Latest in Crawford Childcare
23 Mar, 2014
Spring has definitely sprung in Crawford Childcare crèche, Glanmire. March is a fun month including Pancake Day, St Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day and more. The weather has turned brighter (well mostly) and there is a definite lengthening in the day now which means more outdoor play is available to all the rooms. Please dress appropriately as our little explorers have been rather taken with mud play of late. Wellies are advised and ensure your child has a spare set of clothes so we do not have to limit their play in anyway. So much learning can take place outdoors digging and filling containers, collecting and…
How many times have you heard that “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”? We believe this in Crawford Childcare, Glanmire too but we also know it can be hard work getting your children fed in time for crèche which is why we offer a range of healthy breakfast options at the crèche. But why is it so important? Firstly a good breakfast provides your child with the fuel they need for their day ahead. Children who eat breakfast tend to eat healthier over the day and are more physically active – the 2 main factors for maintaining a healthy weight. Children who…
There has been a great buzz around Crawford Childcare, Cork last week which was topped off nicely with pyjama day on Friday. Funds collected from pyjama day are all donated to the Irish Hospice Foundation for homecare for children. The motto used by Early Childhood Ireland to promote the campaign was “Helping children to help children and having fun!” There was certainly a feel good atmosphere on Friday. By supporting this campaign we all made a small but significant difference in the lives of families that are less fortunate than our own. Combined on a National scale every contribution makes a huge impact – thank…
Most of us work to some sort of daily routine as adults. We are also responsible, at least in part for creating the children’s we care for routines. Apart from fitting in with our own needs, routines are also important in your child’s development. Routines help children learn self-control. Consistency and keeping to similar times for play, snacks and naps etc provides a sense of security and emotional stability for the child. – A routine can help children to trust caring adults. A child must feel safe before they are able to play and learn. Our baby room keyworkers work closely with parents to ensure…
The weather has been a bit wintery and we have even enjoyed going out in the odd flurry of snow. This was great for the Montessori’s theme of the Winter Olympics last week. We tried our hand at our own versions of tobogganing, bob sleighing, skiing and ice skating – check out our latest learning story on this in reception. We also explored the Olympic rings and each made a spectacular torch craft which we run home with. However Spring has definitely sprung in our crèche in Glanmire. The babies and the toddlers have been working on spring tree displays for their rooms complete with…
The babies have been busy exploring lots of new materials in their treasure basket. Our basket is full of safe and interesting materials. Babies learn through their senses so we have included materials which stimulate all 5 including sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Baby toys are often made of plastic but with so many things made from this material it limits the babies’ experiences and learning. Objects in our treasure basket are made of natural materials including metal, leather and wood. Our babies are left to explore these on their own while their keyworker sits closely nearby to supervise. Once a baby is able…
Traditionally young children in Ireland were cared for in the family home and went to school after the age of 3. Today childcare services not in the child’s home are a necessity for many. There has been a lot of debate over how to describe the different types of childcare services available for children aged 0 to 6 years. Until recently Irish policy made a distinction between childcare and education. However Hayes (2007) explains “the inseparable nature of education and care in early years provision across all settings and highlights the caring nature of education and the educative nature of care.” The social nature of…
The babies have been exploring their musical sides recently. A music station was made by our team which included drums, home made shakers, pots, pans and spoons. The music consisting of our babies’ voices and clatters have even been heard in our car park at times. The toddlers have been doing lots of activities around the alphabet and colours. It has been especially fun to mix colours. One of our toddlers was really excited to find that she could make a “Barney” colour by mixing red and blue paint. After this discovery she then painted her arms up to her elbow because she wanted to…
At Crawford Childcare we are often asked what lunches to bring for snack times. The children are provided with a breakfast and hot lunch as part of their care at the pre school service as required. Other snacks are supplied from home depending on the child’s appetite and circumstances. So we have taken a good look at existing children’s lunch boxes and have come up with 10 easy to prepare snacks which are perfect for taking to pre school. Sandwiches whether open, wraps, rolls or sub are very popular and can be filled with a whole variety of foods. Add some salad and use wholemeal…
With Christmas well and truly over we find ourselves well into the New Year. Most of our mums and dads are back to work and so are our little learners at Crawford Childcare. The babies have been learning about farm animals. Staff and babies have been heard quacking, mooing and bleating to tunes like Old MacDonald. Activities have included farm story time, farm jigsaws, small world play and the making of animal masks. The babies and staff have also been jumping around to music to dance off the Christmas chocolate eaten over the holidays. Helicopters seem to have been a popular Santa gift this year.…
