Small Wonders crèche and montessori seems to be run by a team that appreciates the realities of shift work, self-employment and working mums and dads who don’t necessarily stop work on a Friday afternoon at five.
The recently opened crèche, run by business owner and trained montessori teacher Colette Ruth, is now opening every Saturday (from 9am through to 4pm ) for clients who are registered and use the crèche on a part week basis. As far as Colette is aware, this service is quite unique.
“I don’t know of any other crèche in Kilkenny or even beyond the county for that matter that is offering Saturday opening. For me it’s all about accommodating working parents such as medics who simply have to work outside of weekdays. I’m sure there will be a significant take-up of the Saturday service because parents are driving this change and I believe that the demand is already there.”
The architect designed Small Wonders crèche and montessori is a purpose-built, bright and thoughtfully designed crèche and montessori. Colette has very clear ideas about what constitutes the perfect crèche: “I have my own child and fully understand how important it is to find the right ‘caring’ and experienced carers and a fun and stimulating environment for children of both pre and post school-going age. After a number of years in the business, I was determined to design a crèche and montessori that was homely, reassuring, relaxed and friendly. I have assembled a talented team around me and I am delighted with the response we have received to date, both in terms of happy and contented children and their relieved and appreciative parents.”
The crèche, which is protected by an intercom controlled front door, has a dedicated baby room complete with separate sleeping facilities, a toddler room including a large and secure outdoor play area as well as montessori teaching rooms for older children and for after-school homework clubs. Age-appropriate toys and teaching tools have been selected to encourage early childhood development and to hone physical, emotional and social skills. All meals and snacks are freshly prepared on the premises each day and mums and dads can view the week’s menus in advance with special dietary needs catered for, if required. Parents receive a progress report at the end of every day which advises them of how their child has played and interacted, what activities they took part in, when they napped, how they have eaten, etc, so they know exactly where they are with their babies and toddlers in terms of that all-important routine. The crèche boasts ambitious seasonal displays designed to stimulate the children — the most recent Halloween decorations had witches and ghouls a plenty with ‘cereal killer’ and a ‘hubble bubble toil and trouble stew’ featuring on the Hallows’ Eve menu.
All staff at Small Wonders hold a Fetac Level 5 in childcare and special needs (or are currently completing training for this qualification ) while Colette herself holds a diploma in Montessori teaching. ‘Small Wonders’ is also HSE registered, inspected and approved. Colette and the team are currently accepting registrations from mums and dads as there is still some capacity across babies, toddlers and school-going groups.
