National recognition for Tubbercurry childcare project
Pictured at the awards ceremony in Dublin were, from left: Martina Gallagher, Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre (FRC) Childcare Manager; Sandra Cribben, Tubbercurry FRC Coordinator; Liz Keyes, Tubbercurry FRC Board of Management representative.
Tubbercurry Family and Childcare Resource Centre has received a Child and Youth Participation Award from child and family agency Tusla.
The award was in recognition of the centre's recent play area redevelopment and the fact that it consulted with the children at all stages of the project to ensure their needs and likes were considered.
Martina Gallagher, Childcare Manager, explained: “Our courtyard was in need of repair and an upgrade, it was included in the company’s three-year plan, so once the Board of Management gave approval for undertaking the construction works, we felt it was important that the children had their say on what they wanted in the outdoor area.
The early years practitioners worked with the children to get their ideas on play structures, colours etc.
"Getting outdoors is an important stage of the daily routine in Tubbercurry FRC - we wanted to make sure that the work we did would be usable all year-round and that it was enjoyable and age-appropriate for the children in our care. A new soft play area with a climbing apparatus and a sand room was established at the request of the children."
Sandra Cribben, Project Coordinator, continued: “We were very lucky to have the buy-in from the contractors so the children got to meet with the Kompan team who designed and installed the soft play area, and with Arken’s staff who installed the roofed area and the sensory sand play area.
“The children were involved in every step of the process and took great interest in the works.
"Management agreed to enter the award scheme which recognises the importance of the child’s voice in the service we provide. This involved putting forward a submission to Tusla, followed by a site visit to see the project and interview the children. As a result, we were delighted to win one of four awards under the Early Years and Primary Schools section."
The ceremony was held in Dublin, attended by Sandra, Martina and Liz Keyes, and a party was hosted at Tubbercurry FRC the following week for children and staff. Some of the school-aged children got to officially cut the ribbon with Tubbercurry FRC chairperson, Brendan McAuley.
