Mission Statement
It is our mission to provide an inclusive environment, where every child develops holistically in a fun and educational environment.
Ray of Sunshine Pre-school have opened their first new state of the art Early Years Services in Rathnew. Our Team are highly qualified and have many years of experience educating children in the most important years of their lives.
Our pre-school teachers pride themselves in ensuring that their little learners are in environments that are created using a strengths-based approach. That being, environments that are created using the children’s own ideas, strengths and interests to create a play-based and emergent curriculum. The voice of the child will always be our top priority when it comes to any decisions that are made.
Ray of Sunshine Early Years Services also has an Inclusion Co-Ordinator. There will always be someone there to support the inclusion of all children and their participation in their ECCE years. Our Inclusion Co-Ordinator Laura, will work in partnership with the parents and aim to accommodate every child regardless of their needs. If you feel that your child may need some additional support in the pre-school, contact Laura for more information on 086 066 2396.
We currently participate in the ECCE programme, where every child aged 2 years and 8 months on or before August 31st can avail of their 2 free ECCE years. For more information on the eligibility for ECCE, go to: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2459ee-early-childhood-care-and-education-programme-ecce/
Met Our Team
Laura Pierce
Manager, Inclusion Co-ordinator & Early Years Services Room Leader
Laura has been working with children for 14 years and holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care. Laura has experience with all age groups and is extremely passionate about early years education. Laura’s passion is to always ensure that children are receiving the best education and care and on an equal basis. Laura is also an Inclusion co-ordinator in Ray of Sunshine, and this means that our service always has someone to advocate for the inclusion of every child regardless of their needs. Laura always aims to ensure that the needs of the children always come first and will always work closely with the parents. She will be more than happy to arrange a meeting with you in advance of your child starting with us so we can make every child’s transition to pre-school that much easier for them. Together with our team here in Rathnew, we will always provide the highest standard of care for each child in a fun and stimulating environment. We will work together to build a foundation of education and a love and learning in our little students.
Deirdre O’Shea
Deputy Manager & Pre-school Teacher
Deirdre has been working in childcare for 8 years and holds a QQI Level 6 childcare and a Montessori qualification in early childcare education. Deirdre has an extremely calm and caring approach to the children in the preschool room. She delivers the highest standard of pre-school teaching while creating a fun environment for the children. Coming from a Montessori background, she has the most amazing ideas and will always aim to foster independence amongst children in their early years. Deirdre also supports the children in their academic and social skills that are required for their transition to primary school.
