History
The Learning Tree childcare centre was opened in February 2004 funded by the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) as part of the National development plan. We are a not-for-profit centre, managed by a voluntary management board.
Aim
We aim to provide accessible, affordable, quality early education and care to all children and their families. Our mission statement and ethos are intrinsically linked and mirror our commitment to families that are engaged with our service to ensure each child is given ample opportunity to develop at their own pace. We ensure this through the provision of an appropriate curriculum that ensures for the holistic development of every child to include their mental and spiritual health. We aim to provide an environment that encourages children to express themselves freely and one which promotes an enthusiasm towards learning.
Our Programmes / Services – What we do?
We operate a toddler room, and multiple pre-school rooms. Our opening hours are from 8:30 – 5:30, catering for Children aged 2 years to 6 years in age. We offer an evidence-based curriculum, High/Scope, which is grounded in more than 40 years of research. This is explained in more detail below.
At The Learning Tree Early Childhood Centre we have built our early childhood centre options to facilitate your individual needs. This means you have a choice between a full nine hour day, mornings or afternoons, sessional service or between 1 – 5 days depending on your needs.
We are participating providers of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs offering various schemes which support parents back into education or employment by offering affordable quality subsidised education and care. Schemes include ECCE, CCS & CETS. For further information on the various schemes, see link.
A smaller outreach facility is operated at the community centre on St Catherine’s, Wetlands, Kilkenny. Our family support worker is the supervisor of the crèche facilities alongside her work with individual families. Group work with the women and men happens weekly where we facilitate activities such as bingo, flower arranging, nutrition and the importance of play. Past group work has included basketry, woodwork, arts & crafts etc…
Opening times
We are open Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays), from 8:30am to 5:30 pm.
Fees
Because we operate three different schemes what you pay depends on your income, whether it be from social welfare or employment. To speak about fees and determine which band you fall under, please contact the Childcare manager.
Contact Us
We operate an open door policy, please feel free to drop into the Learning Tree at any time or call us at your convenience:
The Learning Tree Childcare Centre
Fr McGrath Family Resource Centre
St Josephs Road,
Kilkenny
056-7786961 Or 056-7751988 ext. 2
karenforan@frmcgrathcentre.ie