Over the Rainbow Early Learning Centre

💐❤️ We are feeling so loved and appreciated! ❤️💐 What a beautiful way to end another incredible year. Thank you to our wonderful A Group families for these stunning flowers and personalised card. Your kindness, thoughtfulness, and appreciation mean more to us than words can say.

As another year comes to a close, we are reminded just how lucky we are to do what we love every day. We pour our hearts into caring for, teaching, and supporting your children, and the love we receive in return is truly priceless.

The bonds we have built, the laughter we have shared, and the memories we have created together will stay with us forever. Watching these amazing children grow in confidence, independence, and happiness has been an absolute privilege.

Moments like this remind us how special our preschool community is. Thank you for trusting us with your little ones, for supporting us throughout the year, and for making us feel so valued and appreciated.

We couldn’t be prouder of our children, and we feel incredibly lucky to have been part of their journey. Another year may be coming to an end, but the relationships, memories, and love we have shared will never be forgotten. ❤️

Thank you for making us feel so special. We love what we do, and we love the children who make every day so rewarding. 🌻✨💜

They all get there in their own time

Many children don’t 'ignore' the toilet… they simply don’t feel the signals in time.

If your child struggles with accidents, leaves it until the last minute, or found the transition from nappies harder than expected, this might be about interoception — not behaviour.

When we understand what’s happening inside the body, we can respond with support instead of frustration.

This post will help you see what your child might be experiencing, and give you practical strategies that actually make a difference.

As we come to the end of yet another year, some of our fantastic parents have taken the time to write some beautiful testimonials about their children's time in our care.

"As a parent of two boys who have attended Over the Rainbow, it is hard to put into words how lucky we feel that we have this truly world class resource in our little parish. The gentle introduction to education in a playful manner is outstanding. From the comfort of their own classroom, my boys visited outer space, explored the Great Wall of China and compared the Eiffel tower with the Empire State building. They questioned the world around them with adults who encouraged them to do so and validated their curiosity by finding answers to their big questions. They slowly brought the best out in my boys and most importantly they built their confidence in themselves." - Lisa & Ger Fannin

More testimonials can be read on our website

Preschool | Over the rainbow Early Learning Centre Over the Rainbow Early Learning Centre provide sessional preschool services in Barefield Ennis Co, Clare, Ireland. ECCE places available.

🤝🎨 Friendship in Every Handprint! 🎨🤝

Our children had great fun creating special handprint friendship T-shirts for our End of Year Show! Using bright colours and their own handprints, each child helped create a unique keepsake that celebrates the friendships, memories, and learning they have shared throughout the year. ❤️💙💛💚

This activity encouraged creativity, self-expression, and a wonderful sense of belonging as the children worked together to make something truly special. We can’t wait to see them proudly wearing their colourful creations on the big day! 🌟

These T-shirts are more than just a craft—they are a reminder of the friendships made, the fun we’ve shared, and the amazing journey we’ve had together this year.


GrowingTogether 💕👕🌈

🎭✨ Our little performers have been busy bringing stories to life through puppet theatre! ✨🎭

Today, the children took turns creating their own puppet shows, using their imaginations to tell stories, entertain their friends, and express their ideas. Through dramatic play, they are developing confidence, communication skills, creativity, and social interaction in a fun and engaging way.

It was wonderful to see the excitement on their faces as they performed and the concentration of their audience as they watched each show unfold. 🌟

Learning through play helps children build important language and storytelling skills while encouraging self-expression and teamwork.

🎭📚✨

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗦𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 ⚠️

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has updated its guidance on slush ice drinks containing glycerol.

The FSAI now advises that children aged 10 and under should not consume these drinks due to the potential risk of side effects.

Glycerol is used in some slush drinks to help maintain the “slush” effect, but consuming too much may cause symptoms including:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Low blood sugar

The guidance is particularly important for younger children, who may be more affected due to their body weight.

With warmer weather and summer activities approaching, many families may not yet be aware of the updated advice.

🔗 Read the full FSAI guidance here:
https://www.fsai.ie/news-and-alerts/latest-news/fsai-updates-advice-on-slush-ice-drinks-for-childr

💬 Were you aware of this updated guidance before now?

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has updated its advice on slush ice drinks, saying children aged 10 and under should not consume any that contain glycerol, the additive that gives the drinks their slushy texture.

Glycerol is an EU-approved additive used to reduce sugar content in drinks and is generally safe for adults in moderate amounts.

The concern is around the effect high levels can have on younger children due to their lower body weight.

Side effects can include headaches, nausea and vomiting, and in rare cases more serious symptoms like low blood sugar, shock or loss of consciousness.

Not all slush drinks contain glycerol, pre-packaged products will list it as glycerol or E422 in the ingredients. Retailers selling glycerol-containing slush drinks will be required to display a point-of-sale warning advising against consumption by children aged 10 and under.

Our children have been busy putting the finishing touches on their Literacy and Numeracy books! ✏️📚
From designing colourful covers to looking back at all the wonderful work they have completed throughout the year, the children are feeling so proud of their learning journey. 🌟

These special books showcase the progress, creativity, and confidence the children have developed through hands-on activities, early writing, counting, and problem-solving. We can’t wait for families to see how much they have grown this year! 💛

LearningJourney PreschoolLearning HandsOnLearning EndOfYearMemories

📚🚸 Clare Libraries has announced the launch of the My Little Library Initiative 2026, inviting children across County Clare who are starting primary school this September to visit their local library and collect a free book bag.

Each year, children finishing pre-school and beginning primary school are encouraged to call into their nearest branch library, where they can pick up a specially prepared book bag and take the opportunity to become library members.

Families are warmly encouraged to join Clare Libraries if they are not already members. Children will also receive a special My Little Library card wallet to keep their library card safe.

The initiative, funded by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and delivered nationwide through local authorities, aims to strengthen the connection between young children, their families and their local library, while supporting the important transition from pre-school to primary school.

🔗 Read more: https://www.clarecoco.ie/council/newsroom/news/2026/clare-libraries-support-children-starting-school-free-books