We, the students from the upper secondary vocational collage, got the opportunity to attend the Language Exchange Ireland. A part of the program was to work for a whole month in different Irish companies. I decided to work in the childcare sector because it would be a great experience and I thought it is the perfect place to improve my English. That’s why I worked for the Little Explorers Montessori Daycare in Waterford.
The team at the Daycare consists of 7 teachers and the owner Siobhan. Nicola and Claire were responsible for the children between 8 months and 2 years. Eva, Jill and Nolin looked after the 3 to 5 year old children. I had the chance to help in both groups and got to know the routines of all the children.
My typical working day started at 9 a.m. at the Daycare.
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Little Onces (8 months – 2 years) |
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7.00 – 9.00 |
Free Playing with all the children, breakfast |
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9.00 – 10.00 |
singing songs, reading books, playful way of learning words and explore their world, going out for a walk (depends on the weather) |
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10.00 – 10.30 |
Snacks time, feeding the children, changing nappies, cleaning their faces |
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10.30 – 11.30 |
Free Playing, going for walks, playing with different toys |
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11.30 – 12.00 |
Lunchtime, worming up food, feeding them |
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12.00 – 14.30 |
Time for the naps, putting on sun cream, playing in the garden (depends on the weather) |
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14.30 – 15.00 |
Snacks time, feeding the children, changing nappies, cleaning their faces |
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15.00 – 17.00 |
Free playing, running around, playing games/ with balls, painting… |
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Bigger Onces (3 – 5 years) |
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7.00 – 9.00 |
Free Playing with all the children, breakfast |
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9.00 – 11.00 |
Going up stairs, getting the food ready for the fridge (label the children’s food), singing songs, reading books, playful way of learning words and explore their world, going out for a walk (depends on the weather) |
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11.00 – 11.30 |
Snacks time, cleaning up, toilet break, preparing the food |
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11.30 – 12.00 |
Reading books, singing, news time, putting on sun cream |
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12.00 – 13.30 |
Playing in the garden, running around, see-saw, playing different games |
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13.30 – 14.30 |
Lunchtime, preparing the food, doing the washing up, nap time for the younger children |
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14.30 – 17.00 |
Free playing, running around, playing games/ with balls, painting, playing in the garden… |
I normally had lunchbreak at 12 a.m. and finished work at 3 p.m. Usually I helped the teachers with all their tasks and I could do the same work as my work maids. I wasn`t allowed to change the nappies but that was good.
All in all it was an amazing experience because I had to speak English the whole time and I got used to it. The time had passed so fast because I had so many things to do. I learned a lot about children and their behaviour, what I had to do in any kind of situation, which is helpful in life. I worked together with a great team and lovely children. Honestly, for me, it couldn't have gone any better.
Stefanie Gisinger
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