About Butterflies Playschool and our Ethos
Butterflies Community Playschool opened in August 2005 and has been running strong since then. It is a purpose-built room which can accommodates up to 22 children between 2 yrs 9 months and 6 years. The free 2-year pre-school Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) is available to all children who have turned 2 years and 8 months of age by 31st August, and not be older than 5 years and 6 months of age on or before 30th June, of the programme year.
At Butterflies we understand that the transition from toddler to child is a special period in childhood life, a stage in which children begin to acquire important learning skills and begin to show signs of individual talents and behaviour.
We provide each child with a relaxed learning environment where the atmosphere gives children a sense of security, knowing and trusting that their voices are heard in an understanding and non-judgmental manner by both adults and peers. This is a solid preparation for valuable and meaningful life skills, such as, Care & Understanding, Basic learning skills, Social, Emotional, Creative and Physical development while respecting each child’s individualism.
We are registered with TUSLA and DCEDIY (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth) and are open to inspection on an annual basis. All inspection reports are available to read at the playschool.
Playschool times and holidays
Butterflies offer 2 sessions a day from Monday to Friday.
Morning Session – 9.00am-12.00pm or Afternoon Session – 12.45pm-3.45pm
We offer the free pre-school years (ECCE) and the National Childcare Scheme.
Our full calendar for the year with holiday listings can be downloaded below.
Playschool Calendar 2023-2024
Let’s chat
Starting your child in playschool can be a daunting time for parents, but we are here to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to call Lucy on (086) 8726632. To place your child on our waiting list, please download our registration form below, send it back to us at playschool@knockmore.ie and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Butterflies Registration Form 2023
Parents Booklet
Our Staff
| Staff | Qualifications | Experience |
| Lucy Horan
Manager |
|
9 years plus working with children in various settings;
Crèche, Primary, preschool assistant, deputy supervisor, AIM worker |
|
Anna Jackson Senior Practitioner |
|
4 years plus working with children in various settings;
Primary, preschool assistant, AIM worker. |
| Jo McHugh
AIM worker |
|
5 plus years working in childcare settings and former Health nurse. |
Curriculum: Aistear
Aistear was introduced in 2009 and is the national early childhood curriculum framework of Ireland, from birth to six years. The framework uses four interconnecting themes (well-Being, Identity and Belonging, Communication and Exploring and Thinking) to describe the content of children’s learning and development. (see https://www.ncca.ie/en/early-childhood )
Siolta, introduced in 2006, is the national quality framework for early year’s services. It is comprised of three distinct but interrelated elements: principles, standards and components of quality, all of which are vital areas of importance for children’s services and supports for early year’s educators. (see siolta.ie for more information)
Daily Routine
Activities and equipment in the playschool are designed to meet the child’s social, emotional, intellectual, language and physical needs. We encourage each child to reach their full potential. Each day we try to follow a consistent routine as follows:
| Routine | Description | |
| 1. | Greeting time: | Children can tell their news, sing songs, we also decide who has responsibilities e.g. 5 min hand. |
| 2. | Large group time: |
This consists of a vigorous activity such as ‘musical body parts’ or ‘parachute game’ etc. |
| 3. | Small group time: | This is a teacher lead activity to show children something they have observed, and the adult can help to advance their exploration. |
| 4. | Planning time: | The children decide with the teacher’s involvement what they would like to do during the session. |
| 5. | Work time: | Children play and discover new things while working in the playroom. |
| 6. | Tidy up time: | The children are asked to put away anything they were working with and to help others. |
| 7. | Recall time: | The children explain and talk us through their play and work time activities. |
| 8. | Lunch time: | Children and staff sit together to eat and socialize children and staff sit together to eat and socialise. |
| 9. | Home time: | Children are called (one at a time) by an adult to the exit door to go home. |
Activities/Equipment available
Water Area: Bottles, sieves, boats, fish, dolls, numbers, funnels, pumps, pipettes etc.
Sand Area: Spades, buckets, diggers, other vehicles, cooking utensils etc.
Art Area: Markers, crayons, pencils, paint, glue, paper, scissors, stamps, wool, pom poms, feathers, pipe cleaners, playdough, many other art materials, tables for art & games.
Construction Area: Soft toys, dinosaurs, trucks, cars, trains and train track, wooden and LEGO bricks, Farmyard & animals, dolls house, puzzles, music instruments, other building equipment etc.
House Area: Kitchen and equipment, dress up clothes and shoes, bags, hats, dolls, etc.
Rest/Library Area: bean bags, and books.
Outside Area: Large Outdoor Covered Area, Tricycles, cars, balance bikes, bicycles, scooters, garden equipment, large sand weather proof area, slide, treehouse, climbing triangle, shed (used for a house area), water table, Water wall and more
