Kidz@Play is an established family business for over 30 years originating in Maynooth Co. Kildare. Kidz@Play Kilcock began in Scoil Chóca Naofa and through this, formed strong partnerships with primary schools in the area. The partnership with the Primary school is positive for children and families with many children moving on to primary school from Kidz@Play Playschool. We also operate an afterschool within the school where children can play relax and complete homework with the familiar Kidz@Play team.
Evelyn developed the business originally from a home-based playschool. Through training and development as well as being the chairperson of the national organisation IPPA Evelyn developed and moved firstly to a rented unit in Maynooth and then to a full day purpose setting in Maynooth. The development of Kidz@Play Kilcock, over 8 years ago brought a unique partnership within the primary school and the service is now embedded within the Kilcock community.
Evelyn holds a MA in Humanities in Early Childhood Care & Education, a BA ECEC, delivers training and lectures in the field of early childhood care and education. Evelyn also worked for the Department of Education and Skills inspecting the educational quality dimension to early years practice.
Jess has a unique experience background as she came to work as a four-week-old baby with her mother as she ran the original home-based playschool. So, we can say Jess was born into the business! Jess continued to expand her knowledge by obtaining an Honours degree in Montessori Education age 3-12, gained experience in different settings, Montessori preschools and primary schools, play based playschools and primary school junior classes and successfully managed summer camps for large companies. Jess holds a MA in Education specialising in the Early Years (2019) from Maynooth University. Jess manages the Kilcock Kidz@Play service delivering both preschool and afterschool. Jess took over the helm as general manager and owner during Evelyn’s inspection period.
Now together this vastly experienced mother daughter team have pooled skills and experience to form a Company that will guarantee the highest quality in the delivery of education and care in the Newtown hall site. Together with a highly qualified staff team which are experienced qualified and working in Kidz@Play for many years. Early year’s educators working in Kidz@Play are experienced and hold Honours degrees, QQI Level 5 and 6 and both services have LINC Co-coordinators as inclusive services.
As a member of Early Childhood Ireland, we create a welcoming environment for children through our play based emergent curriculum where children’s interests, development and rights are central to our philosophy and in line with the national curriculum framework for early years Aistear.
The testimonials of local families to the quality of education and care in Kidz@Play can be seen in returning family and friends over the years with several parents who attended Kidz@Play themselves now sending their own children.
Within the Maynooth community Kidz@Play have made solid links with local primary schools and support the children’s transitions to national school. Kidz@Play also support the local post-primary school through fundraising events such as cake sales and sponsorship for the musical and sponsored walk. Transition year students are also always welcome in Kidz@Play during work experience.
Kidz@Play continue to improve quality through an excellent inspectors report and a commitment to the provision of a partnership approach with parents and families of children attending Kidz@Play.
At Kidz @Play Playschool & Afterschool, our vision is to develop a quality service where each child is valued and nurtured. Play is important “work” for the child and the children are afforded the opportunity to holistically grow and develop within a warm and caring play environment with adults that recognise and respect the needs of the child and will build on those interests and needs.
Our approach is centred on a play based emergent and enquiry curriculum. Children’s interests are explored, supported and documented. Our early years educators plan for children’s progression based on careful observations and a balance of adult directed, initiated activities. Children are encouraged to take the lead in their learning and development. The environment provided is safe, and interesting and supports a variety of challenging and stimulating experiences for the children through which they play, learn and explore.
The playroom is divided into different areas and interests which promote the different types of play and encourage skills such as turn taking cooperation, speech and language development, fine and gross motor skills, sharing, interest in nature and the world and art and crafts. Each child’s learning and development and well-being is facilitated within the service through the provision of age appropriate opportunities, activities, materials and play experiences taking into consideration the cultural context of the child. The play areas indoor and outdoor and play curriculum support Aistear the Early Childhood Curriculum principles and themes of Well-being, Identity and Belonging, Communicating and Exploring and Thinking.
In Kidz@Play, we value the rights of all children attending our service. We recognise the ability and individuality of all children by providing each and every child with opportunity to require reaching their full potential. These opportunities are provided through the active participation of the child, seeing the child as an active learner within our inclusive culture. We recognise and believe inclusive preschools provide quality early years experiences for all involved.
It’s time to meet the Kidz@Play team.
Maynooth Staff
Company Owner/Managers/Directors
Evelyn Reilly & Jess McGrath
Graduate Centre Manager & Administrator: Evelyn Reilly
Graduate Manager Owner/Director & LINC Co-Ordinator: Jess McGrath
Graduate Lead Manager ECCE, FDC & SAC: Emma Duignan
Graduate Lead Manager ECCE, FDC & SAC: Laoise McDonagh
Early Years Educator ECCE Manager: Sarah Ginty
Graduate Lead Educator Manager: Laura Moran Leigh
Early Years Supervisor ECCE, Full Day Care & School Age Childcare: Elaine Donnelly
Graduate Lead Educator & School Age Childcare Educator: Yvonne Flood
Graduate Early Years Educator ECCE & SAC: Sandra Kuzma
Early Years Educator: Josie Phelan
Early Years Educator: Debbie Boylan
Early Years Educator & School Age Childcare Educator: Aideen Byrne
LINC Co-Ordinator: Emma Duignan & Laoise McDonagh
Kitchen Cook: Karen Weafer
A full breakdown of fees available on request.
We offer sessional ECCE for 3 hours with no fees for qualifying children.
For non-ECCE qualifying children aged 2 years and 6 months, we offer 3 hour sessional services costing €80 for 5 days.
Full-time and part-time day care available for children aged 3 years and up costing €240 for 5 days before ECCE and NCS reductions.
