Brigit’s Hearth programmes focus on infants and young children. We believe in the importance of allowing time for every stage in human development.
PROGRAMMES
Over the last 10 years we have been exploring new ideas for the care of young children outside their homes. We have become very aware of the responsibility of caring for young children at such a vulnerable and crucial age.
The facility can accommodate 26 children ages 1 year (walking) to 6 years old in a mixed age family like setting. As a Community Developed project, we offer full day care (9am to 3pm) to 1 to 6 years old as well as the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme for 3 and 4 years old.
Through us you can also access government financial support (NCS) for all families.
the house
Every morning the children are welcomed in the house while the adults are engaged in the preparation of the food and other activities related to the day and the perhaps the season. During this time the children can join the domestic activities that may be taking place or play in the open plan kitchen / living room. In good weather and at the beginning of our new season, when new children are settling, we spend the mornings (9 to 12) outdoors where the settling is easier.
We chose to heat our house with a high efficient wood burner that we light every morning before the children arrive. The hearth occupies the centre of our house. This way we all benefit from the lovely glowing light of the fire that creates a real home feeling, specially in those wintery dark mornings.
The fire, the smell of the fresh baked bread and the bubbling soup, the warmth of the soft colours and natural materials on our walls and floors, all contributes to create the home experience that it is crucial to healthy human being development.
OuTDOORS
At Brigit’s Hearth the children spend an average of 2.5 to 3 hours outdoors in all kinds of weather. Our goal is to provide the children with an early experience of the beauty of a natural landscape throughout the seasons as well as building a healthy immune system and strengthening gross motor skills.
We are at the quiet location of Raheen Woods Estate. Our property sits on a beautiful field partly covered with a young oak woodland. The trees were planted years ago with the parents. We have opened paths that, up and down, through the long grass, offer the children adventurous walks and areas to play. Funded by TOMAR, carpenters from Silvabuild erected a pavilion to received and shelter the visitors from our neighbours at Raheen Nursing Home. We also have our orchard and Red Barn where we gather for snacks and stories and shelter from the wet weather. The time spent in this ever changing environment will lead the children into a life-long relationship with nature.
DAILY PROGRAMME
Our programme starts at 9am and finishes at 3pm. This provides the children under 3 years old with the (compulsory) sleep that is part of our policy for this age. A 1.15pm finish is possible for children over the age of 3.
Following lunch the older children rest. In the afternoon both older and younger children play in a mixed age group.
For more information, registration, dates and prices please contact us