Childcare Centre
TVG Goras Community Childcare Centre has been in operation since 2007 offering affordable and high quality childcare to children from the Traveller Community. Goras is the Cant/Gammon word for Children. It was originally set up to cater for members of the Traveller Community but we have since opened our service up to children from the settled community and we now provide a place for children from diverse backgrounds to play and learn together in a safe environment where every child and their family are celebrated and welcomed. We still have a strong foundation in celebrating the unique Traveller culture.
TVG Goras Centre caters for children aged 6 months to 5 years. We open Monday-Friday 9.25am- 5.00pm. We operate a learning through play approach with a strong emphasis on equality and diversity. We support each child and their family throughout their stay with us by working in close partnership with parents. Each child is valued and their families’ cultural differences are celebrated. The centre is Tusla registered. It is a warm, caring, nurturing, safe and secure environment. We have a quality programme and activities which are tailored to suit each child’s individual abilities.
We follow Siolta - the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Aistear - the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. We have an all-weather outdoor area with a planting garden and miniature barrel top wagon. We run both the Free Preschool Year (ECCE) and also subsidised crèche places (CCS). The fees for the crèche are dependent on each family’s personal circumstances. We offer support to families in crisis through offering extra days or hours if necessary. We support other groups in TVG by providing childcare places for children whose parents are attending courses being run in TVG.
TVG Goras Centre has trained and energetic staff. They are a mixture between qualified and trainee staff. All our trainees are members of the Traveller Community.
The Goras Centre team are:
- Deirdre Cotter, Childcare Manager (full time)
- Susan Mannion, Childcare Team Leader (full time)
- Gemma Lewsley, Childcare Assistant (full time)
- Steven O’Keeffe, Childcare Assistant (full time)
- Paige O’Sullivan, Childcare Assistant (CE Scheme part time)