1. What are the opening hours?
   A. We open from 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday inclusive.
2. What age groups do you cater for?
   A. We cater for children between the ages of 2 years and 8 months years to 5 years.
3. Do you close for the summer?
   A. Yes, our playgroup operates as per the national school calendar operating on a term time 38 week per year basis.
4. Is lunch/snack provided?
   A. Yes. We provide breakfast, a  mid morning snack and lunch time which runs from 11.50am with healthy food prepared on the premises. Fruit and other finger food is available during the day.
5. Q. Do you have an outdoor play area?
   A. Yes we have a experiential and risky outdoor play area including mud pit, sand pit, water wall, slide and balance area. We encourage all weather play. There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!
6. Do you do music/ singing and physical activities with the children?
   A. Yes. Singing and music provide much fun for the children and is a great way to build confidence. Our child-led and free-flow routine allows the children to access musical and physical equipment every day.
7. Do you operate an open door policy?
   A. Yes we have a complete open door policy and allow parents of all children to come at any time should they wish to see how their child is doing and we do not require prior notice.
8. Do families have to be from Dalkey?
   A. No. Dalkey Community Pre-school Playgroup is open to children from all areas and walks of life. We are a completely non-denominational community group and are open to children with special needs if we can accommodate them as well as children who are non- English speaking.
9. Are you registered?
   A. Yes, we are fully registered and provide an Early Childhood Care and Education service that includes ECCE and NCS funding. As a result we are annually inspected by the HSE, Pobal, and the Inspectorate from the County Childcare Committee. We are fully insured.
10. What qualifications do your staff have?
    A. Our staff are qualified from QQI Level 5, Level 6, Level 7 and Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and care. Ongoing and update training is provided to all staff in all aspects of childcare including First Aid, Manual Handling and Child Protection. This is an integral and continuous part of our staff development programme.
11. Can I call in to see the playgroup?
    A. Visitors are welcome to come in and have a chat, at any time and look around provided they phone or e-mail first to make an appointment.
12. Do you hold any events for parents/ children?
    A. Yes, we hold an open day for the children and a parent’s evening every year. Other events are planned throughout the year, such as Family Fun Days. Parents engage in coffee mornings, Halloween and Christmas events.
13. What are your fees?                                                                                         
    

    Session Type Name	Session Type	# Days	Fee Including ECCE (3 free hours)	Fee Excluding ECCE	Effective From
    Morning 9.30am – 12.30pm	AM	5	0	64.50	30/08/2022
    Part time 9am-1pm	AM	5	35	99.50	30/08/2022

     

    Fees Extras

Service Calendar:

The 2022/23 academic year begins on 30th August 2022 and closes on 28th June 2023 for the summer.

We will be closed on the following dates:

 22/08/2022 – 26/08/2022
 29/08/2022
 31/10/2022 – 04/11/2022
 21/12/2022 – 23/12/2022
 26/12/2022 – 30/12/2022
 02/01/2023 – 04/01/2023
 06/02/2023
 13/02/2023 – 17/02/2023
 17/03/2023
 03/04/2023 – 07/04/2023
 10/04/2023 – 14/04/2023
 01/05/2023
 05/06/2023
 29/06/2023 – 30/06/2023
 03/07/2023 – 07/07/2023
 10/07/2023 – 14/07/2023