Watch: New child care centre set to open in Cookstown

Proprietor Sharon Kelly who owns three other child care facilities and has over 16 years experience within the child care setting says her company aims to offer ‘a home to home’ environment.

With 5 different playrooms including a sensory room and messy room, Washingford Day Care aim to provide a stimulating and educational development programme to suit each child.

Speaking to the MAIL, Mrs Kelly said: “We are a registered private day care authorised and approved by the Northern Board. We offer several types of places such as full-time, part-time, after-school drop off, pick-up, breakfast clubs.

“We acknowledge the diversity of family and family life, and our biggest aim is to offer high quality childcare and we do this by respecting each child as an individual.

“We try to offer the best possible materials and resources to explore and experiment with appropriate to their stage of development.”

Washingford Day Care only employ qualified staff and are very much committed to working with implementing the highest standard of care.

Mrs Kelly continued: “Janice Vaz is our officer in charge, she is one of the first members of staff to complete her Level 5 in Leadership and Management and she has HighScope training and level 2 and 3 in early years education.

“All our staff are qualified and all have child protection training and I myself have a degree in social work and a diploma in early years education, and through our 3 other facilities, we employ over 50 staff.”

“We are very committed to making sure that our staff has the relevant qualifications and training is up to date so they have the opportunity to bring that training to the work setting.”

Washingford Day Care also employ an Occupational Therapist (OT) who works with the company full time.

Mrs Kelly added: “Our OT oversees the room layouts etc, so if we have a child with a disability she is able to work closely with them.

“We also cater for children who have English as a second language, we try and provide equal opportunities for all children regardless of age, gender, culture, religion or disability. We try and implement our planning to facilitate all of this.

“We are committed to parents and very much welcome parents participation and as a mother of 3 myself I know how important it is for parents to know their children are in safe and secure environment and enjoying their day while they are at work.”

Parents are invited to come along to the Day Care on Sweep Road, Cookstown (formerly Early Years) to meet and greet the staff and view the premises on 7th and 8th August. No registration fees are necessary for the months of August and September.