If the children are bored at the moment, why not try these puzzles and a Pokémon word search.
Category Archives: CHILDREN CENTRE
Our Childcare Centre Has Also Been Very Busy
Childcare
- Story videos: This week we started making story videos to be sent to the children and their families. The children have absolutely loved receiving these. We are currently sending 2 videos per week but hope to increase that.
- Online classroom chats: This week they also started hosting classroom chats with preschool and afterschool classes which have also been really successful, the children were delighted to see each other and their teacher.
- Facebook videos: We have started making activity videos for our Facebook page ‘SVPOzanamHouseChildcare’ for the children to access and follow activities with their teachers. So far they have been reached by many people on our page.
- Resource packs: We are continuing to send out resource packs to every child every week. Our preschoolers feel very important getting their school homework and the afterschoolers are enjoying getting a fun activity pack that is NOT school work.
Find Out What Our Pre-Schoolers Have Been Up to This Week
Our pre-schoolers have been busy this week learning about elephants. All of these facts and activities can be found in the document below. This is part of the remote support structure our amazing Childcare Centre have been working on recently.
Ozanam House, as always, is here for all our service users and the wider community of the north inner city.
What Our Childcare Centre Has Been Doing During the COVID-19 Measures
We’ve been researching and sending out resource packs each week. One for preschool and one for after-school. We’ve tried to have an educational element to the preschool packs and have been operating from a weekly theme such as Easter for the most recent one. Because the schools are sending work for the Afterschool groups we’re trying to make these ones more fun. Both packs include colouring pages, things to make and do, mindfulness activities, exercises and other activities.
We’ve been trying really hard to make sure that the families should have the things they’ll need at home and are sending what they’d be missing in the packs. For example, the preschool children all received a child’s scissors in one pack for cutting activities.
We’ve also been making direct contact with parents on the phone to check in on them and see if there are any supports they need that we could provide or where we may need to link them into other community supports. I’m sure that they’ll all be happy to know that we’re busy planning for when we reopen too!!
Some of our Easter activities can be found here:
Our Childcare Centre Joins the National Childcare March
This gallery contains 5 photos.
Afterschool Sports Activity Volunteer
A safe place where people learn and grow,
that serves our needs and enriches our lives
in a supportive, fun and caring environment’
Our organisation & the programme
Ozanam House is a community resource centre run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. It is located on the site of the original clothing and furniture warehouse in a building that has also been used by the Society for a variety of purposes for over 100 years. Since our opening in September 2002 we have continued to develop various programmes and projects aimed at addressing the issue of social exclusion as well as the many needs of the local community.
Some examples of these programmes and projects are a childcare centre providing pre-school and after-school care, youth programmes including homework clubs, youth clubs and summer projects. The centre also provides a suite of adult education programmes, such as computers, cookery, dance and dressmaking and various community programmes for the older generation including an older Men’s group and an active retirement group.
Overview of the Volunteer Role
To run sports activity workshops for afterschool children 4 to 8 year olds. Classes will take place Tuesday and Thursday between 3pm and 5pm. We are looking for a volunteer to focus on sports activities to keep the children engaged in physical activities.
Tasks
- To agree with the programme coordinator a workshop plan in advance
- To confirm equipment needed and set up before the workshop
- To prepare these class in advance
- To ensure the room and space are prepared and ready for the participants in advance of the class starting
- To lead the class/workshop with the support at all times of the programme staff – class leaders and assistants
- To review activities with the programme coordinator implementing changes where necessary
- To follow the policies and procedures of Ozanam House which can be found in the induction pack or in the office
Time commitment
Afterschool sports activity classes will run on Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm to 5pm
The volunteer should commit to at least one of the classes mentioned above plus extra time for the preparation of the classes (the exact times and days of working will be agreed between the volunteer and the programme co-ordinator). The volunteer should commit to a minimum period of nine months. This offers consistency to the children and offers the volunteer the opportunity to develop that class well over time.
Skills, Experience & Qualities Required
- Interest and knowledge in sports and fitness
- Fun and Energy when teaching your skill to a group of people
- Ability to relate well to people and enjoy dealing with them
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Good organizational skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Self-confidence towards other people
- Patience, resilience, tolerance and flexibility
- Previous teaching experience is an advantage but not essential
Training & Support
- The volunteer will have an initial meeting with the co-ordinator to receive a role-specific induction and to agree a timetable and schedule of duties in line with the volunteer role description
- The volunteer will receive support at all times of the programme staff – class leaders and assistants.
- Special support will be given by the programme coordinator in advance for planning the workshop.
Benefits
- Personal development
- Sharing knowledge that can help others enrich their lives
- Opportunity to work in and learn about a community resource centre
- Opportunity to build up valuable work experience
- Tea and coffee will be provided for all volunteers
CHILDCARE CENTRE – KITCHEN VOLUNTEER
Our organisation & the programme
Ozanam House is a community resource centre run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. It is located on the site of the original clothing and furniture warehouse in a building that has also been used by the Society for a variety of purposes for over 100 years. Since our opening in September 2002, we have continued to develop various programmes and projects aimed at addressing the issue of social exclusion as well as the many needs of the local community.
Overview of the Volunteer Role
Tasks
- To prepare light snacks e.g. sandwiches, Beans, fruit, veg & dips
- To deliver to each room for snack time
- To collect dishes from each room, place in dishwasher and clean up the kitchen.
Time commitment
Hours – between 2.45 – 4.30
Days required – 1 or 2 days a week (preferably a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday)
To build up relationships with the children and support their learning volunteers are expected to commit to at least one or two afternoons a week (the exact times and dates of working will be agreed between the volunteer and the programme co-ordinator). The volunteer should commit to a minimum period of nine months.
Skills, Experience & Qualities Required
- Ability to work well in a kitchen
- Ability to address the varying needs of the children
- Ability to relate well to children and enjoy dealing with them
- Fun and Energy when working with children
- Good organizational skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish good relationships with children and staff
- Patience, resilience, tolerance and flexibility
- Ability to treat children’s concerns with respect, tact and sensitivity, whilst always being aware of the limits that are required by confidentiality and the necessary boundaries
- Previous experience is desirable but not essential
Training & Induction
- The volunteer will receive an induction/information night in the centre prior to his/her introduction and will get a general information pack to become familiar with the centre and our procedures
- The volunteer will have an initial meeting with the co-ordinator to receive a role-specific induction and to agree a timetable and schedule of duties in line with the volunteer role description
- A Child Protection Training session will be provided. This training will inform the volunteer of the protection and welfare of children under the Children’s Act 1997 and best practices when working with young people.
- Ongoing individual training programmes will be provided if necessary
Support & Supervision
The co-ordinator will be responsible for the supervision of the volunteer. Volunteers will meet with their co-ordinator either in one-to-one meetings, or in larger group meetings to discuss ongoing progress and any issues arising.
General volunteer meetings, for all volunteers, will take place twice a year, in May and November.
Benefits
- Personal development
- The change to contribute towards the development of children to enhance the sense of self-worth and belief
- Opportunity to work in and learn about a community resource centre
- Opportunity to build up valuable work experience
- Tea and coffee will be provided for all volunteers
Contact
Kim Haugh
TOY Project (Together Old and Young) in Ozanam House
The Koala children enjoyed another TOY project get together this month. The children are really enjoying engaging with their new friends. Here is what Freda, our Active Retirement Group co-ordinator had to say
‘Once a month, members of the active retirement group join the pre-schoolers in the morning. Some of our members absolutely love this engagement as they either don’t have grandchildren or their grandchildren are much older. So, sitting with three-year-olds to do puzzles and play games is a breath of fresh air and we soak up the vitality and exuberance of the little ones – there’s also nothing quite like the wide bright smile of a young child. One member brought in a small leather ball to our session which she had used with her own children and it is still in good condition – her eldest is shortly going to celebrate her 60th birthday. Members really appreciate the smile of recognition as the children get to know them. We always end our sessions with a couple of songs and then head back upstairs for the slower pace of scrabble and cards.’
Making New Friends – Together Old and Young
The Ozanam House Childcare Centre recently began their Together Young and Old (TOY) project for 2019. Our preschool children and the Active Retirement Group are planning to meet once a month to connect and share experiences. Here is what Debbie, our Early Educator to the Koala preschool class had to say
‘On Wed 13th of February, the Koala preschool class met with some members of the Active Retirement Group. We spent some time drawing pictures, reading and making jigsaws while also making new friends! The children really enjoyed having their new friends chat with them and help them with their pictures and games.
This is a lovely opportunity for our youngest children to mix with some of our older members who have so much to offer.
The Koala children are already looking forward to meeting up with their new friends again!’
We Are So Proud of Our Meerkat After Schoolers After Their Interview with the Irish Independent
We were so proud of our children and parents in the Meerkat After School class last week when they were visited by the Irish Independent and asked what the after school meant to them, what was important about Christmas and what we could give to others this Christmas. Well done to everyone, you are amazing. View the link here
