My service is designed to be a home away from home, set in the heart of the countryside. My aim is to provide a fun, playful and exciting service that supports and educates the whole child in a holistic, nurturing manner. I aim to offer an inclusive setting where each child’s individuality is acknowledged and respected. At Laugh and Learn, I will promote a positive attitude to learning which will
make the transition from preschool to school happy and rewarding. With a Level 8 honours degree in Early Childhood Education and Care alongside the completion of a variety of training courses including Aistear and Siolta, Child Protection, First Aid and Attention Autism, I am well equipped to manage an educational, stimulating Preschool/Montessori environment which will engage confident young learners. My many years of experience within the childcare sector highlights my enthusiasm and dedication in relation to working with children. Within this service, I will offer a specific multi-sensory area. Multi-Sensory Environments improve the development of thought, intelligence and social skills. They provide an oasis of relaxation which is vital for children’s emotional health, a place where they can rest and become interested in their environment through exploration. Multi-Sensory areas are great for ALL children but especially children with cognitive and physical disabilities. This stimulating environment can:
• Increase concentration and focus attention
• Develop senses (hearing, sight, smell, touch, and taste)
• Heighten awareness and improve alertness
• Improve coordination and motor development
• Promote cognitive development by increased brain function
• Lead participants to explore their environment
• Improve creativity
• Develop of a sense of cause and effect
• Develop language – more vocalization
• Promote social interactions
• Promote mental and physical relaxation
• Increase opportunity for choice and self-determination
At Laugh and Learn our curriculum will assist in the holistic development of the child and cover all aspects of their learning. It will incorporate Jolly Phonics, colours, shapes, numbers, songs, social play, social skills, fine and gross motor skills and last but not least outdoor play. The outdoors is one of the best learning environments for young children, providing an opportunity to explore, experience and make meaning of the natural world. The outdoor world is multi-sensory full of smells, sounds, sights, textures and changing light, air quality and temperatures- a feast for the senses. The outdoors gives children unique opportunities for:
• Sensory exploration
• Physical activities
• Observations
• Art, science, mathematics and language activities
• Developing social skills
• Building and constructing with sand, water and mud
• Dramatic play
• Exploration
• Experimentation
• Manipulation
• Discovery
