Laura MacKenna

My name is Laura MacKenna. I am the preschool manager of The Willow Tree Children’s Centre formerly Blennerville Community Playschool. I have worked in a Waldorf school, community-based preschools and in early intervention services. My degree in Early Childhood Care and Education has provided me with a strong belief in promoting each child’s emotional and social development. I believe in nurturing each child’s sense of self in a child-led, play-based environment. We work very closely with parents and the local community with the aim of strengthening the child’s sense of identity and belonging. I am passionate about fostering each child’s curiosity and love of learning in this inclusive environment.

My Post-Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills enables me to devise strategies and interventions for children who may be experiencing social, emotional, behaviour or mental health problems. I always strive to integrate practices which improve emotional wellbeing into our curriculum at The Willow Tree Children’s Centre such as mindfulness, creative visualisations, music, storytelling, puppetry, sand play, art, dance, movement and yoga.

After completing the Leadership for Inclusion training through Mary Immaculate College, I have also adopted the role of Inclusion Co-ordinator for our range of services. This strengthens the support we provide to every child so that they can develop their individual strengths, interests, abilities and accommodate their needs so that they can reach their full potential in life. 

Lisa Clifton

My name is Lisa Clifton. I am the deputy manager of The Willow Tree Children’s Centre. I have a BA Honours Degree Level 8 in Early Childhood Care and Education which I obtained from the Institute of Technology, Tralee. I have a range of experience including working in a residential home for children with severe disabilities. I worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team to ensure these children could have a home away from home and be well cared for. My work ethos carried forward into our service, we work so well together as a team to create a home away from home environment for all of the children in our care.

I am passionate about instilling a love of learning in all children. I enjoy working in the playschool and afterschool as it is so rewarding to watch and be a part of each child’s individual journey. To help each child grow and develop, to learn alongside each other and to see the wonderful friendships emerge is inspiring. To see children who first come to us so shy and dependent, become so independent, confident and competent as they leave brings me such satisfaction and joy.

I recently received the Healthy Ireland Smart Start award for our setting. As part of this, we ensure the children in our service are supported to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours in early childhood so that they will be empowered to continue these into adulthood. At Blennerville Playschool and Afterschool, we hold our children’s well-being as paramount and our team is committed to continuous professional development to ensure provision of high quality childcare and education.

 

Fiona Bailey

Hi I’m Fiona Bailey I have been working in Blennerville Community Playschool since 2011. I have seen many children come and go and various changes over the years. One thing that remains the same, is my passion and dedication to this job. Every child is unique and each of their individual personalities and talents are nurtured and developed in our holistically caring environment through the Aistear curriculum.

I have FETAC Level 5 Childcare with Montessori and FETAC Level 6 Supervision in Childcare Qualifications.  Continuous learning and updating of qualifications is an on-going process which I am committed to. I learn as much from the children as they do from me. No two days are exactly the same. Children get the opportunity to explore and learn through our play-based curriculum and we make it fun for the kids.  Working with the children keeps me in awe of the little things that they find amazing, uplifting and energizing.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing” – George Bernard Shaw

 

Laura O Connor Smith

Hi my name is Laura o Connor Smith, I am the Inclusion Co-ordinator/AIM support worker at The Willow Tree Children’s Centre. I have completed the Cache Diploma in Childcare and Education, Fetac Level 5 in Childcare and Special Needs Assistance and QQI component Certificate Level 6 in Special Needs Assistance. I have a keen interest in Childcare and the importance of Early Education. I have worked under the Aistear curriculum and enjoy the fun and flexibility within the routine. 

I have a special interest in Additional needs and the importance of developing a routine and strategies that allow children to thrive and develop at their own pace within the setting. I work closely with Laura and the other team members to come up with ways that ensure inclusion and understanding of all children’s needs within the setting. I also work with any therapist/specialist and will help support any work or program a child needs. I strive to foster a healthy, positive learning environment that promotes confidence and the full participation of all children who attend our setting. I am a believer in hands on experience and enjoy our outdoor activities such as sand, water, mud, wind play and encourage everyone to get involved. I will help ensure each child who attends the setting is happy and confident and has the ability to reach their full potential while having fun. I look forward to meeting you all!

 

Danielle Berry

For the last 7 years I have worked in childcare settings. During this time, I gained experience in all age groups, including the duties of a room leader in a baby room. Currently I am working in a preschool and afterschool. I find working with children a rewarding career that challenges me in many different ways and there are many skills and lessons to learn each day. I love getting to know the children and helping them as individuals while having lots of fun along the way.

 

Michelle Cotter

My name is Michelle Cotter. I joined the team at the Willow Tree Children’s Centre in September 2020 as an Early Years Educator. I have been working in the profession of childcare since 2008. I took a year out in 2012 to go travelling. Whilst travelling I continued to work in childcare through agencies and also as a nanny for 6 months.

Hello, my name is Charis, I work as an Early Years Educator in the Catkins room in the Willow Tree Children’s Centre. I am from Malaysia and I have completed a Degree in Early Childhood and Education which is known as a level 7 qualification. In addition, I have furthered my studies in Early Childhood and Care in Munster Technology University in Tralee and have successfully graduated as a BA Honours Degree Level 8.

I started working in Willow Tree Children’s Centre in 2023. I have a passion for taking care and teaching children. This developed from my experience working in my Sunday school back in Malaysia. I enjoy observing their growth and I believe that all children are worthy of who they are. All children are unique and special, they have their own personalities and behaviour.

 

Ora Brookes

Hi there, my name is Ora Brookes and I am a proud Early Years Educator in the Catkins room of the Willow Tree Children’s Centre. I have successfully completed an advanced level 6 qualification in Early Childhood Care and Education. I have also gained a level 5 QQI certificate in Special Needs Assisting and achieved an honours level 6 QQI Special Needs Assisting.

I started work at the Willow Tree Children’s Centre in 2020. I love caring for the needs of all the children/infants and I enjoy getting to know them all. From my study I have learned so much about the importance of education in the early years of life. It feels so special to me to be a part of the wonder and endless possibilities each child holds.