Over the Rainbow Early Learning Centre

27/08/2026

26/08/2026

🎥 One week to go until our documentary airs!

Shaping the Future premieres on 29 August and tells the story of Ireland's state-funded Pre-School programme through the experiences of children, families and early years educators.

Discover the impact of early learning and care, hear inspiring real life stories, and meet the dedicated professionals helping young children thrive every day.

📅 29 August 2026
⏰ 12.00pm
📺 Virgin Media Television

Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/bdery5sb

24/07/2026

URGENT – DON’T BLAME THE PROVIDERS!

PARENTS, TDS SENTORS AND GENERAL PUBLIC:

Today 23rd July 2026 Pobal on behalf of the Department ran out training presentations in relation to a new requirement for registering CHICKS (the subsidies parents get towards their costs) on the HIVE. This will mean a major increase in the already over-burdened administration work on providers and staff.This will be mandatory for providers on the 31st July when registering or editing any CHICKS. The second training presentation will be run out on the 30th July at 2.30pm less than 24 hours before it becomes mandatory for providers to complete this new additional work.
This is basically a data collection exercise, and data which is already in the possession of the department/Pobal! We are just warning parents that due to this very unnecessary task providers may find it difficult to get CHICKS registered due to lack of clarification, training or indeed the system not working. If CHICKS cannot be registered then parents will have to pay full fees to their provider to enable the services continue to function. Please remember subsidies are attached to the parent and not the service. Providers across the state facilitate registering these CHICKS for parents with no funding to do so, our job as childcare providers is to provide quality services for the children in our care and NOT administer schemes for the Government. The total dis-respect for the providers and staff has hit a new level.
So please don’t blame providers if you have to pay full fees to a service if your CHICK cannot be registered.

While we are on the clarification end of things...could the department also explain to the general public and hard pressed providers how in a Expression of Interest document issued in relation to one of new State-Led Early Learning and Care Capital Programme their “fee does not exceed €230/week for full-time provision.”
This State-Led facility will have little or no rent, no rates, little or no loans as fit out also included, not for profit but can have a small surplus of approximately 3%! Many services who are signed into Core Funding across the State are on a fee freeze and well below this figure with all the above expenses to cover. No wonder small to medium size services are closing and parents are crying out for childcare.
An application process was to open last year to let providers on very low fees apply to increase their fees to be sustainable this did not happen. The fees charged by providers varies hugely across the country - this is never discussed when fees for parents are being flagged as being 'mortgages'. There are a lot of parents who pay very low fees and rightly so.

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29/06/2026

As another wonderful preschool year comes to an end, our hearts are filled with gratitude. ❤️

Some of our little learners are spreading their wings and getting ready for their next adventure, while others will be returning to us for another year of fun, friendship, and discovery.

To every child who has laughed, learned, played, explored, and grown with us—thank you for making this year so special. Watching your confidence blossom and your personalities shine has been the greatest privilege.

To our families, thank you for trusting us with your precious little ones. Your support means the world to us.

To those saying goodbye, remember that once you’re part of our preschool family, you’ll always have a place in our hearts. We wish you every success and happiness on your next journey.

Here’s to the memories we’ve made, the friendships we’ve built, and the bright futures ahead. 🌈✨

With love,
Your Preschool Family ❤️

29/06/2026

👑 Two little queens, full of sparkle and smiles! ✨💖

Creativity, imagination, and a little royal magic filled our classroom as these two proudly wore their beautiful handmade crowns. Watching their confidence shine is what makes every day so special.

Every child deserves to feel like royalty. 💕👑

✨💛

24/06/2026

✂️ Building Our Scissor Skills! ✂️

Our busy learners have been working hard on developing their cutting skills through a variety of fun and engaging activities. The children carefully practised holding and controlling their scissors, cutting along straight lines and around shapes with great focus and determination.

These activities help to strengthen hand muscles, improve hand-eye coordination, and develop the fine motor skills needed for future writing tasks. We were so impressed with the children’s concentration, perseverance, and growing confidence as they tackled each challenge.

Well done to everyone for their fantastic effort and for showing such independence while learning an important new skill! 🌟

✂️📚🌟

24/06/2026

🚦 Learning About Road Safety Through Play! 🚦

Our children have been busy exploring the world of road safety using our interactive road play tray. As they drove their cars around the roads, they learned about different traffic signs, speed limits, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, and the importance of following the rules of the road.

Through imaginative play, the children developed their communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of how to stay safe when out and about. They enjoyed discussing what the different signs mean and practised making safe choices as they navigated their vehicles around the roads.

Learning through play helps children make real-life connections in a fun and meaningful way, and our little drivers did a fantastic job today! 🚗🛑🚸

🚦🚗🛣️🛑

22/06/2026

💦 Pool Party Fun! ☀️🌈

What a fantastic day of splashing, laughing, and making memories! From water play and pool games to creative activities and outdoor adventures, the children had an amazing time enjoying every moment together.

There’s nothing better than seeing happy faces, growing friendships, and endless excitement as the children learn through play and exploration. These are the days childhood is made of! 💙

Pool party perfection, smiles all around, and memories to last a lifetime! 🏖️💦☀️

🌈💙☀️

19/06/2026

💙 Father’s Day Creations 💙

Our little artists have been busy creating something very special for Father’s Day! Using colourful tissue paper, glue, and lots of concentration, the children made beautiful heart keepsakes to show just how much their dads, grandads, and special people mean to them.

As they carefully tore, scrunched, and placed each piece, they were developing their fine motor skills, creativity, and independence while creating a heartfelt gift full of love.

The finished hearts remind us that love is made up of lots of little pieces that come together to make something wonderful. 💙

We hope all our amazing dads and father figures have a very special Father’s Day and know just how loved they are!

💙🩵💜🩷