Smarties Childcare

30/09/2026

A little look at our Afterschool this week 💜
From Lego building and air hockey to getting creative with recycled materials, galaxy painting and some lovely slow, mindful moments with wool 🧶✨

A busy mix of creativity, games, chatting, experimenting and just having time to switch off after the school day — exactly what afternoons at Smarties are all about 💜

Westport MayoChildcare

18/09/2026

A little freshen up for Smarties! 👀🌈

Our signs have had a much-needed repaint and are looking bright, colourful and fresh again! 🎨✨

After many years welcoming little ones through our doors, it was lovely to give our familiar Smarties sign a new lease of life — while keeping the colours and design that are so much a part of us. 💜💚

A big thank you to Kris and all the team at Dark Arts Studios for bringing them back to life — we’re delighted with how they turned out! 🙌✨

Freshly refreshed and ready for another busy year at Smarties! 🌈🥰

11/09/2026

Outdoors at Smarties 💚🌧️

Rainy days, muddy puddles, exploring, collecting, blackberry picking and even a little baking along the way. 🫐

There’s so much to discover when we slow down, follow the children’s interests and make the most of what’s right on our doorstep.

Little hands. Big adventures. 💚

MuddyAdventures

24/08/2026

A little Smarties transformation… 💚💜✨

It’s been a busy few weeks getting everything freshened up and ready for another year — inside and out! 🥰

A huge amount of work, plenty of helping hands, and definitely a few unrequested breaks along the way 😂🤫

We’re so happy with how it has all come together and we cannot wait to welcome everyone back to Smarties on Wednesday! ❤️🌱

26/07/2026

21/06/2026

🎓✨ Our Graduation Celebration ✨🎓

A beautiful morning filled with smiles,
celebrating our little stars and all their miles.

There were goody bags and happy cheers,
memories made to last for years.

We danced and sang, we laughed and played,
and watched a movie of the memories we'd made.

Pink lemonade in every hand,
"Look, I'm like an adult with my w**e!" was heard across the land. 🤭

Bubbles floated through the air,
while proud little graduates beamed everywhere.

There were hugs, goodbyes and happy tears too,
as we celebrated everything these little ones can do.

What a joy it has been to watch them grow,
and what adventures await them, only they know.

Today we celebrated the end of one chapter,
filled with laughter, friendship and so much happily ever after. 💛🎓✨

🫶✨️

05/06/2026

🎒 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance 2026

Did you know?
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is now open, and for the first time, eligible children aged 2 and 3 are now included.

This year the payment is:

👟 €160 for eligible children aged 2 to 11

📚 €285 for eligible children aged 12 to 22

The scheme opened on 3 June 2026 and applications close on 30 September 2026. Many families will receive the payment automatically, but if you do not receive a notification and think you may qualify, you can apply through MyWelfare.

Find out more on gov.ie:
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/services/back-to-school-clothing-and-footwear-allowance/

Apply through MyWelfare:
https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/parents-children-family/back-to-school-clothing-footwear-allowance/

Please share this with other parents who might not realise that younger children can now be included too.

05/06/2026

Yet again no consultation with services in relation to the latest press release in our sector.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL PARENTS, GENERAL PUBLIC, TD’S AND SENATORS

In relation to the Press Release from Minister Foley yesterday:

Yes, we are the providers on the ground, the sector trying their best to provide quality childcare, referred to as PARTNER SERVICES know less than most what this media spin means.
There has been:

No prior clear information

No consultation

No Respect

Instead of giving % figures on the increase in funding (which has been totally underfunded from day one) perhaps give % figures (which the department has) on the increase of providing the quality services over the past 5 years!

Each service needs to be viable, and needs clear information in order to work out their business model year on year. Taking into account that most services are in a fee freeze, they rely on this information from the department.

The Minister likes to highlight the 45 million in ring-fenced funding to support increases in the rates of pay. There are approximately 31,600 childcare workers in Ireland, so work that out per hour!!!
“supporting the workforce is essential to ensuring quality in early learning and childcare. This funding will help to make further progress on improving pay while maintaining the strong partnership between the State and providers”

So if you require any clarification on this Press Release maybe contact Minister Foley’s Press office because they definitely have more information than us.

This is yet again, disgraceful treatment of your ‘partner services. ‘

31/05/2026

💜💚 Sports Day at Smarties 💚💜

What a day we had! ☀️

From sack races and piggyback races to tug-of-war battles and plenty of cheering, our Sports Day was packed with fun, laughter and memories to treasure.

The children gave it their all, parents got wonderfully competitive, and the smiles never left our faces. There were flying shoes, wobbly races, lots of teamwork and even more giggles!

A huge thank you to Skyler, Tom and Louise for sponsoring our Sports Day picnic with so many amazing treats and drinks. Your kindness helped make a brilliant day even more special for our little Smarties. 💜

These are the days we'll remember - sunshine, laughter, friendship and a whole community coming together to make magical memories. ☀️💚💜

💜💚

27/05/2026

A day in the life at Smarties ⭐️

From muddy puddles to sensory trays,
we fill our days with playful ways ☀️

Tiny hands explore, laugh & play,
with big ideas growing every day 🌈

We splash, we build, we climb, we share,
with joyful moments everywhere 🫧

At Smarties, love leads all we do,
in every moment, something new 💛

Learning lives in hugs and play,
and gently guides each child’s way ✨