ABOUT US

With Staff combined years of experience heading for 90 years we at Higgys can guarantee that your child will receive the Best Early Childhood care and Education that is available in Gorey.

Manager

Kavita Dayal

I have worked in Higgys House since it opened in March in 2005. I was promoted to the role of Manager in July 2011. I worked with children for eight years in India and then came to Ireland to work with children. The children and happy atmosphere in Higgys make it a special place to work in. I completed my Fetac level 4 and 5 in 2004 and in 2010 I started my Fetac level 6 in Supervision in Childcare which I have just completed successfully with four distinctions!
Apart from the daily running of the crèche I deal with all the enquires. I work in conjunction with the parents and staff to address any areas of concern in the child’s development which may need referral to outside agencies. I review and ensure that regular assessments of each child are documented. I am also responsible for the allocation of student placements, the orientation of students to the service and assisting them with their college work. I have completed a course in Supervision of Students through Carlow IT, Wexford Campus. This has given me an insight on how to work with students when they come to us on placement.
I have done a good few courses over the years, one of them being Story Telling using Puppets. The children at Higgys now enjoy regular puppet shows and the older children enjoy doing puppet shows for the younger children. I have done Child Protection, Paediatric First Aid, Food Hygiene and Safety, Manual Handling and a few Siolta workshops as well.
I am a founder member of The Association of Childcare Professionals in Wexford.
Working in early childhood education and care is so rewarding when one sees how the children learn and grow. I find that I learn as much from them as they learn from me.

Baby Room

Lita Kinsella Duty Manager

I have worked in Higgys as the Baby room Supervisor since it opened in March 2005.
Prior to working in Higgys I worked in a crèche in Dublin for 4 years gaining experience in the Baby room and Toddler room. I also worked as a nanny for a year.

As the Baby room Supervisor I have been responsible for the development of a curriculum and am constantly reviewing, evaluating, and updating it, as I believe it is only by constant review and challenging ourselves that we can provide quality care and education for the babies in Higgys, I am also responsible for managing junior staff and working closely with parents and children.

I have recently been promoted to Duty manager. Duty Manager offers me the opportunity to work closely with the manager on the day to day running of the crèche. I completed my Fetac level 5 in 2001 and have successfully completed my Fetac level 6 in May.

As a childcare professional I attend a number of seminars and courses throughout the year some of these are Manual Handling, Paediatric First Aid, Report Writing, Healthy Eating 0-3 yrs, Child Protection, Food Hygiene and Safety and a number of Siolta workshops. I am also a member of The Association for Childcare Professionals in Wexford.

Carrie Kavanagh

I have been working in Higgys since qualifying in 2009. I have Fetac Level 5 in childcare and did my work experience in Higgys. I have also completed a First Aid course and manual handling. When I first started in Higgys I was in the Baby room, I then worked in the Toddler room and the Pre-school room, giving me the opportunity to gain new experiences and know all the rooms and the children. I now work full time in the Baby room and am enjoying every minute of it. I am looking forward to any new adventures that may be in my path.

Toddler Room

Lorraine Clyne Duty Manager

I have been working in childcare since 1999. My qualification is NCVA Level 2 which is the equivalent to Fetac Level 5. At the moment I am studying for a BA (Hons) Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care through the Wexford Campus of Carlow IT. It is a three year course and I have just completed my first year, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
I have worked in Higgys House since we opened in March 2005. I am the Toddler room Supervisor and have been recently been promoted to Duty Manager. My role as Supervisor incorporates running two rooms, expanding our curriculum, managing junior staff and working closely with parents and children. Duty Manager offers me the opportunity to work closely with the Manager on the day to day working of a top quality crèche.
It is important to be up to date on all new aspects of childcare and I attend as much courses and training as possible. I have attended Siolta, Report Writing, Child Protection and Occupational First Aid (Fetac Level 5). My project at Higgys is Health and Safety and we regularly review our Health and Safety Manual and policies. I am also a member of the Association for Childcare Professionals, Wexford branch.

Nicola Fitzpatrick

While completing my FETAC Level 5 course I did my work experience at Higgys. On completion of my course I was offered a position in 2008. During my time at Higgys I have worked in the Toddler Room and Pre School Room. I work in childcare as I believe a quality early childhood care and education are essential to the development of all children.
I attended a Seminar on outdoor play and am currently reviewing Higgys outdoor play area. I am the BUNTUS Queen at Higgys. I am responsible for the implementation of the BUNTUS Programme throughout Higgys House.
In September I will begin studying Fetac level 6 in Childcare Supervision I am looking forward to learning more and gaining even more experience.

Jennifer Giltrap

I have worked in the Baby room in Higgys since 2005 prior to that I worked in retail.
Having recently returned from maternity leave I am now working in the Toddler room.
During my time in the baby room I have worked in conjunction with the Supervisor to develop a curriculum for the babies. Every song we sing, every rhyme we say and every story we read are all with a purpose! However now that I am working with the Toddlers it gives me a chance to accompany the children on the next important stage of their lives.
I recently did a sign language course and have started studying Fetac level 6. I am really enjoying learning new things and meeting new people.
My project at Higgys is the Guest Speaker project. Each month I organise a guest speaker to come and speak to the Pre-school children. To date we have had a Doctor, a Radiographer, a Water Polo Player, an Irish Dancer and members of An Garda Siochana. The children love these visits and its’ so educational for them meeting new people and learning all about their job or hobbies. We welcome parents who would like to be our guest speaker to discuss their job, hobby, or interest with the children in our Pre-school room.

Pre-school Room

Rachel Lynch Montessori Directress

I studied Montessori education and childcare in the Liberties College Dublin where I graduated in 1997. I then went on to work as a Montessori teacher in Little Lambs and Busy Bees, both Crèches in Dublin before joining the Higgys House team in 2005. I have over ten years experience working with children 0-7 years.
In 2008 we achieved accreditation for our Montessori Room from St. Nicholas Montessori Society, (which I am an associate member), and again in 2011. Being Wexford’s only accredited Montessori is an example of what Higgys is all about, constantly working to improve the Early Childhood Education that we provide. I find working in Early Childhood Education very rewarding. The Montessori Method provides the opportunities and tools each individual child needs to develop and grow a thirst for learning and a great interest in the world around them. I have attended science workshops, seminars on Aistear and Siolta and a manual handling course.

After-school Room

Lisa Redmond

After finishing my Fetac Level 5 I worked in retail, prior to starting in Higgys in 2005. I started in the Baby room where I worked for a year and then moved to the Toddler room, with my babies. I worked in the Toddler for nearly four years and am now currently in the Montessori room in the mornings and the After-school room in the afternoons, where I am the Supervisor.
During mid-terms and summer months I run a variety of different camps, which include a weekly outing relating to the camp.
I am Higgys resident photographer and animal enthusiast. I organise for an animal visit once a month to Higgys, which has included a calf, dogs and chickens to name but a few. We now have our own resident pet rabbit called Piglet.
At the moment I am studying for my degree in Social Care, having recently completed Fetac level 5 in Social Care and have attended workshops on Buntus, HACCP and manual handling.

Chef

Mary Earle

Well my bio is going to be a bit different to the other staff as I had no previous experience in Childcare, except having 4 of my own!
I am a fully qualified Chef and have worked for many years in various catering establishments from holiday hotels, fish restaurants, carvery, larger hotels and outdoor catering etc.

On starting work in Higgys I was not sure what to expect but I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience both with staff and children.
I have learned very different but important catering. I enjoy my cooking much more now. With Hilary’s encouragement to keep things healthy and experiment and try new dishes I have researched and learned a great deal. I completed a Healthy Eating course for Pre School children and also a Food Safety Course.
Parents taking, cooking and enjoying my recipes of the week is great but most importantly the children‘s willingness to try my new foods and enjoy it, is very rewarding.
Finally I must say it is easier and more rewarding to cook Healthy food than it is to have convenience.