Roots and Wings Early Years Education and Care
Donabates newest early years education centre
About Our Team...
Roots & Wings are in an enviable position of having a staff of highly trained and experienced team members. The team have been carefully chosen to reflect the quality standards set down by its sister service, Beverton Preschool. The Owner/Director - Nickola and Team Lead - Leanne both hold a BA in Early Childhood, in addition to another 6 team members holding same with an additional 2 staff member currently studying. The remaining Early Years Teachers; hold both Level 6 & 5 in Early Education. All staff members regularly participate in CPD to up skill and be informed about the changing sector.
Roots & Wings are following on from their sister service - Beverton Pre-school and their high achievement (Level 4) in the Síolta Quality Assurance Programme and are currently being validated for same (2019).
Our team are highly experienced in all domains of early education including our current inspection procedures with Tusla, The Department of Education and Skills (DES) and Pobal.
In our most recent DES inspection we attained an exemplary in every area of our educational approach.
Meet the Team
Nickola Cullen
Owner & Director
Qualifications: BA Applied Early Childhood & BA Leadership and Management
A little bit about me:
Nickola runs both Roots and Wings and Beverton Preschool, with over 20 years experience and believes that young children when exposed to an enriching environment children and positive meaningful interactions are empowered to becoming competent and capable learners.
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Leanne Byrne
Team Lead - Roots & Wings
Qualifications: BA (hons) Early Childhood – Teaching & Learning
A little bit about me:
As well as interactions with families and children - risky play and outdoors is so important to me- it affords children an opportunity for challenge, testing limits, exploring boundaries and demonstrating independence.
Rachael Mc Allister
Team Lead - Beverton
Qualifications: BA Applied Early Childhood Studies
A little bit about me:
My previous studies were in the field of Deaf Studies and Sign Language. I have a keen interest for child language
acquisition and nurturing communication skills amongst the holistic development of each child.
Jessica Clarke
Early Years Teacher (Lead)
Qualifications: BA Early Childhood; enrolled in Level 5 Lámh communication
A little bit about me:
I have worked with children of all ages and abilities. I have a real interest in special education and love watching the children in my care learn and grow daily.
Lisa Cosgrove
Sueprvisor - Early Years Teacher
Qualifications: Level 6 Early Years Ed & Level 6 Montessori.
A little bit about me:
I love working in early years, the imagination and enthusiasm of the children is infectious. I enjoy each day, supporting the children in my care, as they develop and progress through play.
Rachael Fearon
Early Years Teacher (Lead)
Qualifications: Level 6 Early Years; Studying BA Applied Early Childhood Studies
A little bit about me:
I love watching children grow and develop and new interests emerge each day.
I love what I do and don’t plan on ever changing it!
Sue Mc Grady
Early Years Teacher (Lead) / Quality Liason Person
Qualifications: BA (hons) Early Childhood Teaching & Learning
A little bit about me:
I really enjoy working in Early Years - each day as every day is different. Building meaningful relationships with children is extremely important to me and I find my role as an Early Years Teacher very rewarding😊
Emma Byrne
Early Years Teacher
Qualifications: BSc Early Childhood Education
A little bit about me:
I have a huge interest in the importance of interactions and believe that for children to form positive relationships there needs to be nourishing interactions between the teachers and children.
Karl Daly
Early Years Teacher
Qualifications: Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
A little bit about me:
I have a huge interest in the importance of interactions and believe that for children to form positive relationships there needs to be nourishing interactions between the teachers and children.
Sarah Beirnes Sherlock
Early Years Teacher (Lead)
Qualifications: BA Hons Early Childhood Care & Education; studying MA Play Therapy
A little bit about me:
I love working in early years because everyday I learn something new. I love seeing the moment that children accomplish a new skill or overcome a challenge and having a part in that process of growth and development is an amazing privilege.
Anita Gleeson
After-school Co-ordinator
Experience: 3 years + a Mom to Darcie
A little bit about me:
For me, each day brings new excitements – a new pair of shoes, climbing trees, a fit of giggles or finding treasures in a tub or sticks and stones. I get to celebrate these moments and each moment brightens both their and my day.
Jackie Moore
Early Years Teacher (Beverton pre-school; Roots & Wings cover)
Qualifications: Level 6 Early Years
A little bit about me:
Firstly, I am a mother of 4 children and am a huge lover of outdoor play! I believe that children learn and thrive in an environment that is fun – after all its not just learning how to count to 10 there is a lot more opportunities in learning numeracy through a fun inviting approach.
Kayleigh Byrne
Early Years Teacher
Qualifications: BA Early Childhood Education & Care
A little bit about me:
I am greatly interested in encouraging communication skills and providing social opportunities for children to build friendships and engage with peers. I believe that these foundations are necessary from a young age.
Anna C
Early Childhood Teacher (Lead)
Qualifications: Level 6 Early Years
A little bit about me:
I love working in a happy fun, energetic environment. What I like about working with children is that every day is different. I really enjoy working with fun size people 😊
Caitlyn Cullen
Early Years Teacher (cover)
Qualifications: Level 6 Early Ed (currently 3rd year BSc Early Childhood Ed)
A little bit about me:
Being a part of children’s growth and development is one of the most rewarding parts of working in the early years. I love risky play especially in the outdoors and watching the children expand their confidence.
Leanne R
Early Years Teacher
Qualifications: FETAC Level 5
A little bit about me:
I have many years experience in the Early Years sector - both in Ireland & Australia where I worked for 7 years. I enjoy providing experiences for children’s care provisions through a collaborative and supportive approach.
Rebecca Hegarty
Early Years Educator
Qualifications: BA hons in Early Years Education and Care
A little bit about me: Rebecca joined our service in September 2020 after completing a year of work placement in our sister service Beverton Preschool. Rebecca works in Beverton Preschool but also covers relief hours in Roots & Wings
Emily McNamara
Early Years ducator
Qualifications: BA hons in Early Years Education and Care
A little bit about me: