Children making the progression to pre-school is a big thing for a family.
While it’s a big move for any child, it starts with the family decision as to where to enrol their loved one.
The biggest thing is to make sure their child is in a safe environment and in the care of someone who will look after them and make their experience a memorable one.
Carol Phelan, mother of two based in Portlaoise, has taken it upon herself and is opening her own pre-school this coming September called Baby Bears Pre School in her home in Bellingham in Portlaoise.
What made you want to persue a career in this industry?
When I was 15 my career guidance teacher asked me what career I would choose for my future. Childcare was my answer.
Where did you begin your training?
I studied in the Liberties College in Dublin for three years and
recieved two Montessori Diplomas and then completed a 2 year Diploma course in Nursery Management with UCD.
I have worked in creches and preschools for almost 20 years in Dublin and in Portlaoise. I married my husband Shane in 2011 and we have two beautiful children. Sophie is 5 and Cillian is 4.
We are both from Ballyfin and have stayed local buying a house in Bellingham.
It was important to both of us that when we had a family that there was a good balance between work and family life. I am very lucky that my career enables me to do that.
Are you excited about starting your own business?
My dream for my career was always to start up my own small preschool. Things changed for me in June 2016 when I was made redundant from my job of 10 years.
I started to think that the time was right to start chasing my dream. We were building an extension onto our home so I started researching and finding out what I needed to do to start up my own small preschool.
Fast forward almost 2 years with much patience and persistence I have been passed by Tusla and I am aiming to open Baby Bear’s Preschool in September.
Baby Bear’s will offer sessional care from 9.30 to 12.30. Our groups will be small with a maximium of 8 in the group.
It is important to me to keep my groups small as I want the
children to have the feeling of home. From a mother’s point of view that was something that I looked for when we were finding a preschool for own children to attend.
What makes your business stand out compared to others?
A day at Baby Bear’s will have a variety of activities aiming to pave the path to big school for our preschool children.
Children can partake in art activities, stories and songs, exploring
and construction, outdoor play, imaginary play, table activities such as jigsaws, pegs and straws, messy play like playdough and sand play and music and movement all in a safe secure environment.
All my policies are aimed at ensuring the health,safety and well being of all children in my care.
Bookings now being taken for September 2018.
For further information or to make an appointment to come and see Baby Bear’s Preschool please feel free to contact Carol Phelan on 086 3334965.
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