The Beehive

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The Beehive The Beehive is a full day care service based in the town of Rathkeale. Our ethos is Play Learn Grow.

At The Beehive Play Learn Grow, we believe that high-quality early childhood education is about creating meaningful expe...
26/07/2026

At The Beehive Play Learn Grow, we believe that high-quality early childhood education is about creating meaningful experiences where every child feels valued, respected and inspired to learn.

While we are closed for two weeks, exciting developments are happening behind the scenes as we continue to enhance our outdoor environment, resources and curriculum. We are constantly evolving, reflecting on our practice and embracing new ideas to ensure we provide the very best learning opportunities for every child and family. My commitment to continuous improvement means that The Beehive is always growing alongside the children we care for.

I recognise that some of the richest learning takes place beyond the indoor environments and into the outdoors, where children can explore, investigate and connect with the natural world. Time spent outdoors supports children's physical development, confidence, creativity and wellbeing, while encouraging curiosity, resilience and problem-solving. Through climbing, digging, building, discovering and imaginative play, children develop essential life skills in an environment that promotes independence and joy.

At The Beehive, we value the outdoors as an extension of our learning environments, providing opportunities for children to take appropriate risks, build relationships and develop a lifelong appreciation of nature. We cannot wait to welcome our little bumblebees back to another exciting year of learning, laughter and growth together. Keep watching for exciting updates. 🐝💙

27/06/2026

Our preschool children officially signing out of preschool. A special thank you to all the team as many played a huge role in guiding, caring for and educating our little bumblebees from the baby room all the way up to preschool. It has been amazing watching you all grow and develop at your own pace. Credit to Paulina for creating this video.

"And so our journey comes to an end. But yours continues on. Grab ahold of your dreams, and make them come true. For you are the key to unlocking your own magic. Now go. Let your dreams guide you. Reach out and find your Happily Ever After' 🐝💙💛

Ger's Mobile Farm Visits Beehive Play, Learn and Grow!! 🐖 🐎 🐔 🐇 🐐 Today was a very exciting day at Beehive Play, Learn a...
23/06/2026

Ger's Mobile Farm Visits Beehive Play, Learn and Grow!! 🐖 🐎 🐔 🐇 🐐

Today was a very exciting day at Beehive Play, Learn and Grow as Ger's Mobile Farm came to visit! Another highlight of the year for us all! The children were thrilled to meet a variety of friendly farm animals and enjoyed wonderful hands-on learning experience.

Throughout the morning, the children had opportunities to pet, observe, and learn about the different animals. They asked questions, shared their knowledge, and discovered interesting facts about how animals live, what they eat, and how farmers care for them. The visit encouraged curiosity, confidence, and a deeper appreciation of the natural world.

There was plenty of fun and laughter as the children interacted with the animals, developing their social skills as they took turns, helped one another, and shared their excitement. Experiences like these provide valuable opportunities for children to learn through play, exploration, and real-life experiences.

This special visit links closely with the principles of Aistear, where the children actively explored their environment, engaged in meaningful conversations, and developed a sense of respect and care for living things.
The experience also supports the aims of Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, by providing rich, engaging learning opportunities that promote children's holistic development, interests, and well-being through active participation and hands-on discovery.

The children (and staff team) had an amazing day filled with learning, fun, and unforgettable moments! 🐝 💛💙

🎓🐝 Preschool Graduation 2026 🐝🎓Today, we celebrated a very special milestone as our little bees graduated from The Beehi...
13/06/2026

🎓🐝 Preschool Graduation 2026 🐝🎓

Today, we celebrated a very special milestone as our little bees graduated from The Beehive Play Learn Grow Early Years Service. 💛💙🐝

For many of these children, their journey with us began in our Baby Room, where they took their first wobbly steps, shared their first smiles, and discovered the world around them. Others joined us in Playgroup and preschool, bringing their own unique personalities, curiosity, and energy to our Beehive family. No matter where their journey started, it has been a privilege to watch them grow and flourish.

It feels like only yesterday they were settling into their rooms, learning new routines, making friendships, and filling our days with laughter, imagination, and endless questions.We've shared so many wonderful moments together—story times, messy play, outdoor adventures, songs, celebrations, and countless memories that will stay with us forever. Now, they are leaving us as confident, kind, funny, and capable young learners, ready for the next exciting chapter of their lives. 💙💛

To our little graduates: keep being curious, keep believing in yourselves, and never stop learning. The world is waiting for all the amazing things you will do. 🌟

To our families: thank you for allowing us to be part of your children's early years journey. Watching them grow and develop into school-ready children has been an honour and a joy.

To the amazing staff team who have all worked alongside your children over the years, thank you for being part of our little bumblebees early learning and educational journey in The Beehive!

There were certainly a few happy tears today—and a few children who seem quite convinced they're already ready to be the teachers!

Congratulations to our Class of 2026! We are incredibly proud of every single one of you. Once a Beehive Bee, always a Beehive Bee. 🐝💛

We are pleased to announce the upcoming "Little Bees" Summer Camp 2026,  in July at The Beehive Play Learn Grow. This su...
04/06/2026

We are pleased to announce the upcoming "Little Bees" Summer Camp 2026, in July at The Beehive Play Learn Grow.

This summer camp will be specifically designed for children aged 3.5 to 5 years, providing an engaging, enriching, and supportive environment for learning, play, exploration, and social development.

Enrollment is open to:
• Our current Beehive children whose preschool year finishes on the June 24th, 2026.
• New children who have not previously attended The Beehive.

The camp will operate over two weeks in July. July 13th – 17th, 2026, and July 20th – 24th, 2026. Daily hours will be from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Families have the flexibility to register for either one week or both weeks, based on their requirements.

Further details are available on the attached poster. Please note that spaces are limited, and the camp's operation is subject to demand. For all enquiries or to secure a place, please contact us at 069 63505. 🐝 💙

Join our team at The Beehive and make a difference in early childhood education! 🌟 We're hiring for Full-Time and Part-T...
04/06/2026

Join our team at The Beehive and make a difference in early childhood education! 🌟 We're hiring for Full-Time and Part-Time Early Years Educators, as well as an AIM Support Worker. If you have a passion for nurturing young minds, excellent communication skills, and relevant qualifications, we want to hear from you!

📚 Full-Time: 40hrs/week
📚 Part-Time: 17-33 hrs/week

Requirements include a QQI Level 5 or higher in Early Years and a dedication to creating meaningful play and educational activities. Experience with additional needs is a plus. Successful candidates will be Garda Vetted.

Apply now and join us where we create joyful learning environments and experiences for our little bumblebees 🐝💙

This week our wonderful beekeeper came to the beehive to help the children discover the wonderful world of bees. 🐝 Throu...
28/05/2026

This week our wonderful beekeeper came to the beehive to help the children discover the wonderful world of bees. 🐝 Through fun activities, stories, and hands-on learning, the children explored how bees live, work together, and help flowers and plants grow. The beekeeper taught the children about caring for bees, making honey, and why bees are so important to our environment. It was an exciting morning full of curiosity, learning, and buzzing fun! A special thank you to our wonderful Beekeeper who was so kind to come and visit us at The Beehive. 🩵🐝

The Beehive's contribution to the DCDE Children’s Creative Spaces consultation from our Junior preschool children ✨Throu...
27/05/2026

The Beehive's contribution to the DCDE Children’s Creative Spaces consultation from our Junior preschool children ✨

Through their artwork, conversations, and imaginative ideas, the children shared what truly matters to them in their learning environments — spaces filled with play, creativity, discovery, connection, and joy. Their voices highlight the importance of creating environments where children feel curious, confident, included, and free to learn through play every day 💛

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! ☘️A big happy St. Patrick’s Day to all our little bumblebees and families. We hope all ou...
17/03/2026

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! ☘️

A big happy St. Patrick’s Day to all our little bumblebees and families. We hope all our amazing mammies also had a very special Mother’s Day ❤️

Take a look at some of the wonderful moments from our St. Patrick’s Day Parade — a fun and festive start to the celebrations today! 🇮🇪 🍀

On Wednesday, The Beehive celebrated Traveller Ethnicity Day, honoring the community's culture, history, and traditions ...
06/03/2026

On Wednesday, The Beehive celebrated Traveller Ethnicity Day, honoring the community's culture, history, and traditions with our children and families.

This event aimed to educate, foster respect, promote inclusion and embrace diversity.
Aistear highlights through inclusive practice, we as Early Years Teachers are supporting children's well- being and sense of belonging (NCCA). When early years environments reflect the real lives and backgrounds of the families they serve, children feel valued, respected and connected.

When you represent children's culture and identity you are creating an environment where children feel a sense of pride, feel welcomed and where opportunities for further learning and development are actively encouraged. 🐝💙💛

Address

Well Lane, Co. Limerick
Rathkeale

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 6pm
Thursday 7:30am - 6pm
Friday 7:30am - 6pm

Telephone

06963505

Website

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