Catkins Nursery is a purpose built childcare facility based in Longford Women’s Link. It is run by highly qualified childcare professionals, and is also provides community employment training for childcare workers. Catkins is a Not-for-profit Community Childcare facility, as we say, it’s not about profit…its about care…
At Catkins children are allowed to be children, while at the same time maximising learning opportunities, provided at cost price!
Many of the staff have worked here for many years and their love of children has created a home away from home environment. A wide range of training is also made available to the staff each year including updating their first-aid skills etc
Catkins runs under Siolta – the National Framework for Early Childhood Education. This nurtures optimum learning benefits for your child, maximising numeracy and literacy abilities.
Catkins aim is to provide opportunities to learn through play at any opportunity. There are a range of fun activities going on here all the time, including messy play (aprons provided!) for painting, baking and gardening.
The children at Catkins can have great fun in the large outdoor play area which is situated at the heart of the building, and can be viewed and accessed from all crèches. There is also a very large garden at the back of the building adjacent to the car park.
This service is also available at Catkins Nursery (however this is based on availability)
Catkins runs fun summer camps, computer camps and arts and crafts camps. Call Marissa for more information on 043 41511
This is our annual event in Catkins, and is usually in mid august just before the summer break. There are lots of things to do for the children and the adults, such as bouncy castle, lucky dip, music & entertainment, book sale, cake sale, huge raffle with lots of great prizes, guess how many sweets in the jar and lots and lots more. You never know who you might meet there!
Full Day Care - 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday
Part Time Care – Long - 8.30am – 1.30pm 12.30pm – 5.30pm
Part Time Care – Short – 08.45am – 12.30pm 1.30pm – 5.15pm
Sessional Care ECCE Only - 9:30am - 12:30pm; 1:30pm – 4:30
Fee structure is dependant on whether or not you have social welfare entitlements (see bands below)
ECCE
As part of the April 2009 Budget, the Government announced a new programme to provide for a free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) with effect from January 2010.
The programme is administered by the Childcare Directorate of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, with the local operation of the programme managed by the City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs).
The objective of the ECCE programme, which is open to both community and commercial service providers, is to benefit children in the key developmental period prior to starting school. Children are eligible to avail of the programme where they are aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months on 1st September each year. (Children aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months are accepted as qualifying.) The upper age-limit may be waived in certain circumstances. Parents may also apply for a waiver of the upper age limit where their child will not be able to commence primary school until they are aged at least 5 years and 7 months, due to the local schools' admissions policies, on condition that the child has not already availed of the ECCE Programme. Children may avail of the Free preschool year for one year only.
Payment under the ECCE programme is by way of capitation fees which are paid directly to the service provider. A capitation fee is payable in respect of each child enrolled in the free pre-school year. A higher rate of capitation is payable in respect of sessional playschool services with highly qualified staff.
It is a fundamental principle of the scheme that the pre-school year is available free to parents, and all participating services are obliged to meet the costs of the free pre-school year out of the capitation fees. Services may, however, charge parents for any additional services provided, including additional hours and additional activities, provided that these are optional to parents and that appropriate programme-based activities are available to children not participating in the additional activities.
Social Welfare Entitlement Bands
If you are receiving any social welfare entitlement listed below you will fall into a band which will affect the price that you pay.
Band AJ
· Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance (Was Unemployment Benefit or Assistance)
Band A
· One-Parent Family Payment
· Widow’s or Widower’s Pension
· Pre-Retirement Allowance
· Farm Assist
· State Pension (Was Old Age or Retirement Pension)
· Blind Pension
· Guardian’s Payment (Was Orphan’s Pension)
· Illness or Injury Benefit
· Disablement Benefit
· Invalidity Pension
· Disability Allowance
· Carer’s Benefit or Allowance
· Back to Work /Education Allowance
· Supplementary Welfare Allowance
· Family Income Supplement (FIS)
· Part-time Job Incentive Scheme
Band B
· Medical Card Holders
· GP Visit Card Holders
