We at Cheeky Cherubs are very proud of our achievements since opening our doors in 2005. Growing from a traditional childcare creche into dynamic, progressive settings with a graduate led early years workforce.. Over the years we have developed our approach and ethos in early years care and education, through ongoing education, research, and travel with a focus on pedagogy.
Anne-Marie Murray (Manager, Cheeky Cherubs), Sara O’Donnell (Area Training Manager, Cheeky Cherubs), Sarah O’Leary (Co-Director, Cheeky Cherubs), Michele Akerlind (Co-Director, Cheeky Cherubs) and Janine Urquhart (Manager, Cheeky Cherubs).
Early Childhood Ireland supports and represents the people who play a role in the development, delivery and oversight of quality Early Childhood Care and Education in Ireland. Some awards we have received from Eearly Childhood Ireland include:
Sustainability:
We do our utmost to shop local in order to reduce our carbon footprint and to support businesses throughout the local area.
At Cheeky Cherubs, we endeavour to be more sustainable by showcasing many projects over the years with the children in our care.
Síolta Accreditation:
We have achieved the highest accreditation of Level 4 in the Siolta Quality Assurance Programme.
Siolta, The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, was introduced by the Dept of Education and Skills as a set of principles and standards highlighting quality.
Again, this process fed beautifully into our rights-based curriculum and ethos.
Learning Stories Awards:
Since Early Childhood Ireland launched their Learning Story Awards, we have been sharing our children’s experiences with the wider community with great success. (Learning Story Award)
We have been shortlisted for Learning Stories to an Individual of the year.
Sarah one of our directors is also the recipient of the Pedagogical Leader of the year.
Learning stories are a live document of children’s development. This has huge value to the child and their family.
Making Children’s Learning Visible:
We coordinated an Art Exhibition in Cork City Hall, ‘This is Me!’, displaying the work created by children from Cheeky Cherubs and three other early years centres. This involved Sarah and an artist visiting and supporting the children in creating and displaying their art works.
Ongoing Training and International Travel:
We believe that education is a lifelong journey. Therefor we are constantly researching and updating our knowledge and understanding of early years best practice.
We have travelled to and visited centres of excellence in; Italy, Reggio Emilia and Florence, Norway, Scotland, England as well as Irish centres.
Knowledge which we have incorporated into our daily practices and curriculum.
International Green Flag Award:
An Taisce, The National Trust for Ireland, is the foremost environmental organisation in Ireland.
We have to date received recognition for our environmental work around, Waste and Litter, Energy, Water and Travel.
The adults and children really enjoyed participating in and learning during this process.
Ballincollig Tidy Towns:
Ballincollig Tidy towns have been kind enough to acknowledge our contribution to the local community. We have received Highly Commended awards for our presentation of our outdoor environment, which we are very proud of.
Tusla and other Regulatory Bodies:
We work closely with regulatory bodies that oversee the Early Years Sector.
We have built a respectful relationship with inspectors and the department since 2005 and welcome their visits to have the opportunity to showcase our centres and the focus on best practice.
Media Appearances:
Cheeky Cherubs was highlighted by our national broadcaster, on the Prime Time programme as a place of best practice following an expose on negative experiences in early years.
It was an honour to showcase the many positive aspects of childcare across the country during a time of great upset and uncertainty. As part of raising awareness of the importance of the early years we have spoken on national and local radio stations, as well as presented at a universities and colleges.
We have presented at government level in The Oireachtas in relation to affordable childcare for all. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/joint_committee_on_health_and_children/2015-06-11/2/
Newspaper articles:
- https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/childcare-voices-centre-investment-5151782-Jul2020/
- https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/blog/mixing-the-ages/
- https://www.redfm.ie/news/cork/calls-for-the-government-to-invest-in-the-early-childhood-sector/
- https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-20425446.htmlSíolta
Presentation at the 2013 ECI Awards Ceremony – Sarah O’ Leary (Co-Director, Cheeky Cherubs), Sara O’Donnell (Area Training Manager, Cheeky Cherubs), Mary MacLoughlin (Principal Officer in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs) and Janine Urquhart (Manager, Cheeky Cherubs).
All Ireland Centre of Excellence Award
Cheeky Cherubs Early Years Schools are proud to have been awarded the prestigious National Children’s Nursery Association (NCNA) All Ireland Centre of Excellence Award. The prestigious Centre of Excellence Awards are awarded to Early Years Care and Education providers who are committed to raising standards and providing do my essay quality services. Providers are assessed under various criteria including activities and programmes for children; relationships in the nursery; partnerships with families; health, safety and hygiene; staff conditions and professional development; physical environment; food and nutrition; management and administration; implementation of policies and procedures and evaluation and review of the Early Years Centre. This award is proof of the quality standards across Cheeky Cherubs Early Years Schools.
