Age Groups
At Kidorama, we care for children aged from two years of age up to 12 years of age.
Our qualified and experienced, Garda vetted staff team take excellent care of your child, creating a ‘home-from-home’, fun environment.
Pre-ECCE – two to three years
ECCE – two years eight months to four years six months
School Aged Care – four years to twelve years
Pre ECCE
At this stage of their development, children are gaining confidence in their physical abilities. Cognitive, Social & Language skill development are key for this age group. During their time with us, children will learn about sharing, turn-taking and how to interact with other children socially, as they are starting to notice and play with other children. They will engage in social activities such as imaginative and creative play. There is a variety of equipment and activities available to encourage the child’s cognitive skills.
Children will engage in a variety of activities during the day such as, story time, sing-songs, sand and water play, pretend play (dress-up, drama), construction play (blocks, tools) and outdoor play in one of our two outdoor areas. This may be their first experience of fulltime care outside of the home.
ECCE
Kidorama is a participant in the ECCE (Early Childhood Care & Education) scheme.
Children will qualify for a free place on the ECCE scheme in the September of the year they turn 3 years of age.
They are eligible for two free years.
The ECCE scheme was developed to help prepare children for Primary school. Its’ focus is on helping the child to be socially adept, independent, and confident in their own abilities, so that they will be emotionally ready for school, as well as physically ready.
Your child will have a daily routine which is planned and based on the needs of the group, with lots of age-appropriate activities. Play is a child’s ‘work’ and this is how they interact with and explore the world around them. Both of our national early years’ frameworks are founded on the idea that learning happens through play: “Play is central to the well-being, development, and learning of young children” (DES, 2017) and “Much of children’s early learning and development takes place through play and hands-on experiences” (Aistear, NCCA, 2009). The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child upholds children’s right to play, and play is a lot of fun!
School Aged
We understand that when your child starts Primary school, it is a very exciting time. However, parents of school -aged children are required to manage a unique balancing act during the school year. Half days, in-service days, mid-term breaks and other days off may leave the children feeling excited, but leave parents struggling to meet both their child care needs and their work needs.
This is where we can help!
We cater for children attending St. Mary’s National School, Saggart and Citywest Educate Together National School. As well as dropping your child to school and collecting them afterwards, we also provide care for them on most days off during the year and throughout the Summer months. The ratio we use is 1:12, as per the After School Care Regulations 2019.
What are the signs of a great after-school programme?
- Space, staff, and resources to offer structured activities.
- A schedule that allows children time to learn and practice skills such as art, sports, etc.
- Homework supervision and help.
- Staff who relate well to children, manage groups well, maintain high expectations, and keep the children motivated.
- Reasonable cost.
- Established communication channels with parents and school staff.
We can deliver all of the above!