Our creche is central to our activities as it provides a space enabling mums and children to avail of the centre’s facilities.

developing links

To ensure that we provide the best possible service we have developed clear links for shared learning with a range of bodies including:

• Early Years
• Health Promotion
• Derry City Council Environmental Health Department
• Western Area Childcare Partnership (for training)
• Playhouse
• North West Institute Further and Higher Education
• Job Link

We are registered with the Foyle Health and Social Services Trust and are members of Early Years. Both organisations help us to maintain a high quality service by giving us:

• up to date information
• support
• training
• policies on professional boundaries and standards

talking to parents

We ensure that creche staff and parents have the time and space to discuss their child’s development. This means that parents are aware of what their children are learning at creche and impacts positively on the mother / baby relationship. We also keep in contact with parents through:

• creche information leaflets
• parent information board
• creche evaluation forms, and
• child booklets

cross border and cross community trips

In the past year we have organised three out of centre trips for children and their parents in partnership with creches and groups in Tullyally. Over the coming year we hope to organise a trip to the library with the Waterside Women’s Centre. We also organised a range of events including:

• Fundraising Pyjama Week for Early Years
• Fancy Dress Trip on the Toucan One boat
• Halloween
• Santa visit to the Centre
• Early Years Cross Community Zoo Day event

staff

The creche is run by a team of dedicated, trained, vetted and highly skilled workers. Our staff have recently completed training courses in:

• Handling Children’s Behaviour
• Learning and Development 0-3 years
• Creativity Workshop
• Level 2 Award in Food Safety
• Supporting boys through active learning