Bright Sparks
Welcome!
Bright Sparks Community Childcare Services is a purpose-built facility, wholly owned by Allenwood Campus. Each classroom has been thoughtfully designed to support high-quality childcare and early learning education for children of varying ages.
We offer flexible, reliable childcare and early learning education for families with children aged 12 months to 12 years. Open from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, 51 weeks a year, we’re here to support your schedule. With over twenty years of combined experience, our team is committed, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about creating a positive and caring environment for every child.
At the heart of our service is your child. We believe children learn best through exploration, by asking questions, following their curiosity, and engaging with the world around them. By providing a safe, nurturing space filled with encouragement, we help children build confidence and develop lifelong skills.
Our Purpose & Values
‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’ - Together we are stronger
About Us
At Bright Sparks Community Childcare Centre, we’ve been helping children flourish with happiness and confidence since 2005. Our work goes far beyond providing childcare. We nurture each child from the moment they join us, helping them build a strong foundation that supports their growth throughout life.
Our work goes far beyond childcare. The early years are a vital time for learning, development, and emotional growth, and the experiences children have now shape how they learn, relate to others, and feel about themselves in the future. High-quality early education supports brain development, social skills, emotional resilience, and a love of learning that children carry with them throughout life.
From the moment your child joins us, we focus on nurturing their wellbeing, curiosity, and confidence in a safe, supportive, and caring environment. Through play-based learning, strong relationships, and gentle guidance, we help children build a solid foundation for school and for life.
We support their growth by encouraging them to be:
"Curious, Confident, Collaborative, Empathetic, and Independent'
Above all, we want every child to feel valued, supported, and excited to learn — and every parent to feel confident that their child is in the best possible hands.
Our Team
Just as the children we care for are at the centre of everything we do, so too is our dedicated team. At Bright Sparks Community Childcare Centre, our staff are the heart of our service, and we ensure they are supported, valued, and equipped with the training they need to do their best work.
Several staff are engaged in ongoing studies to obtain their childcare degrees, continually growing their knowledge and expertise. Every team member is fully qualified to the required standards and completes additional training in key areas such as:
Safeguarding Children
Health & Safety
HACCP
First Aid
We’re always looking for ways to grow and improve, which is why our staff also participate in ongoing training, including Behaviour Management and Additional Needs. This ensures they can support each child with understanding, patience, and confidence.
We place great importance on building and maintaining strong, trusting relationships within our Centre. Staff profiles are displayed throughout the building, and you’ll continue to see the familiar, welcoming faces of the team members who work closely with your child each day. Every child has a dedicated key worker—someone who truly understands them, spends meaningful one-to-one time with them, and keeps you connected through regular updates on their experiences and progress.
Our team members are specially trained for the age groups they support, giving them deep insight into each stage of childhood. This expertise, combined with strong relationships, helps us bring out the very best in every unique personality.
Curriculum
“An rud a chíonn an leanbh, is é a níonn an leanbh”
At Bright Sparks Community Childcare Centre, our curriculum is brought to life through a gentle, ongoing cycle of Noticing, Nurturing, Responding, and Reflecting. This reflective way of planning and assessing helps us support each child’s learning and development through an emergent, inquiry-based curriculum that is deeply rooted in súgradh (play).
This approach is inspired by slow relational pedagogy — taking the time to truly understand each baby, toddler, and young child, and allowing their interests, needs, and natural rhythms to guide the learning process.
Throughout the cycle, we document children’s learning in meaningful ways. By recording the everyday moments we Notice, the ways we Nurture, how we Respond, and what we Reflect on, we build a clear picture of each child’s growth. This documentation shows just how important daily routines, simple interactions, and familiar rhythms are in shaping children’s development.
The four parts of the cycle flow naturally into one another. They highlight the educator’s role as an active, thoughtful, and responsive guide — someone who recognises each child’s rights, needs, interests, abilities, and unique ways of engaging with the world.
Our planning and assessment are anchored in the Themes and Learning Goals of Aistear, which help us create an emergent, inquiry-based curriculum that truly supports children’s learning during their early years.
The four parts of the cycle flow naturally into one another. They highlight the educator’s role as an active, thoughtful, and responsive guide — someone who recognises each child’s rights, needs, interests, abilities, and unique ways of engaging with the world.
Our planning and assessment are anchored in the Themes and Learning Goals of Aistear, which help us create an emergent, inquiry-based curriculum that truly supports children’s learning during their early years.
When your child is ready to move on to their next adventure, we make sure to mark the moment with a fun and cheerful graduation celebration.
How We Work
Partnership With Families
“Tógann sé meitheal chun leanbh a thógáil”
Building strong partnerships with families is essential to supporting the learning and development of every baby, toddler, and young child. For educators, forming and maintaining trusting relationships with families is a central part of their role—something that develops gradually through care, consistency, and genuine connection.
Just as educators take a gentle, relational approach with children, they also create time and space for meaningful comhrá (conversations) with parents and families. These interactions matter. Through open and respectful communication, educators gain insight into what is important to each child and their family, helping everyone feel valued, understood, and respected.
Educators’ complete regular observations and maintain a personalised learning journal for each child. These journals include observations, artwork, and photographs, and are shared with families alongside ongoing updates about each child’s learning and development.
Clear, Honest Communication
We understand how important it is for you to feel connected to your child’s day, which is why communication is central to our practice. You will always be kept informed about:
· What your child has eaten
· Nappy changes and when supplies need topping up
· Sleep times and duration
· Any medication administered
· Photos and updates showing their play, learning, and daily experiences
Our goal is to keep you informed, reassured, and involved.
As a statutory requirement, all staff are fully Garda Vetted, and our Management Team carefully verifies every qualification.
The Centre’s Manager, Donrina Shorunke (HighScope Teacher), and Senior Childcare Worker, Sara Daly (HighScope Teacher), bring many years of experience, warmth, and passion to the Centre. They’re supported by a dedicated and caring team who are genuinely committed to their work and to giving every child the happiest, safest, and most enriching experience possible.
Outdoors
We believe children learn best through joyful, hands-on experiences — and the outdoors provides the perfect environment for this. At Bright Sparks Community Childcare Centre, our outdoor spaces are designed to inspire exploration, play, and discovery every day.
We support children in developing a love and respect for the natural world by exploring topics such as sustainability, conservation, endangered species, rainforest protection, composting, recycling, and growing their own food in our organic garden. Nature becomes part of everyday conversation, helping children stay curious about life cycles and the world around them.
We also embrace the simple pleasures of being outside — taking gentle garden walks, digging in the sand area, tending to our vegetable patch, or relaxing in cosy outdoor corners to watch the world unfold.
Our goal is balance: offering opportunities for calm, concentration, joy, and well-being as children play and learn in harmony with nature.Enrollment
The service operates in accordance with relevant early years legislation, national regulations, and quality frameworks. Our enrollment practices are fair, transparent, inclusive, and support equal access for all children
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Parents and guardians may make an enquiry by completing the service’s enquiry form, contacting the service by email, or arranging a visit by phone. Families are encouraged to visit the service prior to enrolment to ensure the service can meet the needs of their child and family.
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Enrolments are managed in line with the service’s Enrolment Policy and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability and the service’s capacity to meet the child’s needs.
- Children must be a minimum of 12 months of age to attend the service.
- Children must be at least 2 years and 8 months of age prior to commencing in the Preschool room.
- Where possible, priority may be given to siblings of children currently attending the service.
- Where all places are filled, a waiting list is maintained. Places are offered as they become available, considering the child’s position on the waiting list and the type of place required.
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A completed Registration/Application Form is required prior to commencement.
Parents and guardians must provide all required information, including details relating to the child’s health, medical needs, dietary requirements, allergies, developmental needs, and any additional supports required. Any custody, guardianship, access, or court order information relevant to the child must be provided at the time of registration.
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The service is committed to inclusive practice and will work in partnership with families and relevant professionals to support children’s individual needs, in line with the service’s policies and available resources.
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The service reserves the right to refuse or terminate enrolment where it is deemed that the service cannot safely or appropriately meet the needs of the child, or where continued enrolment is not in the best interests of the child, the service community, or in accordance with legislation, regulations, and service policies.
Childcare Schemes & Financial Supports
We participate in national childcare schemes designed to make early learning and childcare more accessible and affordable for families.
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The ECCE Scheme provides free early childhood education for children aged 2 years 8 months to 5 years 6 months.
Children can enrol before 1 September each year.
The programme offers 3 hours per day, 5 days per week, following the 38-week school year. -
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help families with the cost of early learning and childcare for children from around 24 weeks to 15 years.
There are two main subsidy types:
· Universal Subsidy – Available to all families, regardless of income.
· Income-Assessed Subsidy – Based on family income, child’s age, and number of children.
A sponsored subsidy is also available for eligible vulnerable children (e.g., via Tusla).
How it works:
1. Apply online via the NCS portal using MyGovID, or by post.
2. Once approved, you receive a CHICK (Childcare Identifier Code Key).
3. Provide the CHICK to your childcare provider, who applies the subsidy and adjusts your fees.
4. Subsidies can be used with any registered childcare provider contracted under the NCS
For more information call:
045-890297 / 045-870296
Email: brightsparks@allenwoodcampus.ie