The Ethos of the Family Centre
We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing and encouraging environment where the developmental needs of each child are met in a holistic way to the best of our ability.
While promoting the values of respect, equality, inclusion, and diversity, we strive to respond to the childcare needs of the community through an affordable, accessible and high-quality service.
Here at the Hollyhill Knocknaheeny Family Centre, we use the Highscope Approach. We believe that by using this curriculum, we support children’s Holistic learning and development. Our curriculum is infused with both Aistear and Siolta, which are our National Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care in Ireland.
Our Curriculum, which is inclusive to all children and families, promotes the child’s independence, curiosity, language and social skills. This is done through following the child’s lead and interest, and building upon an emergent curriculum, which is developed in partnership with the child, parents and all professionals who support the children in our service. We use daily small group and individual activities to support each child and also use visual aids, as these are an important communication strategy in our service.
Timeline
Our History
How we started?
The Family Centre was first started by the Daughters of Charity , in a prefabricated building on the site of the Nuns house, alongside the Church in Knocknaheeny.
The service was mainly used as a drop off for parents to engage in community courses within the building. The Family Centre operated a morning and afternoon preschool and the Creche was still a drop off service.
NICHE worked out of the same prefabricated building and set up community groups so we worked in partnership with Niche.
The Creche grew in numbers and became a positive feeder for the preschools.
The Family Centre became a Limited Company
As the Family Centre grew it became obvious that a new facility was needed so discussions began about moving across the road and taking over a part of Terence McSweeney Secondary school Basketball Court.
The Family Centre moved in September 2007 to a new purpose-built facility for the Creche & Preschool.
On 25th September 2009, the Government Minister of Children, Minister Barry Andrews officially opened our service.
The Family Centre came under the umbrella of NICHE Health Project (Northside Initiative Community Health & Education) and continues to link with community services.
Meet Our Team
Behind our success, there is our passionate team
Lisa O'Brien
General Manager
Niamh Kiely Hickey
Early Years Supervisor
Clodagh Horgan
Administrotor
Green Room Team:
Sarah Fox
Lead Educator CRÈCHE
Jennifer Haynes
Early Years Educator
Fatema Akter
Early Years Educator
Jennifer Murphy
Early Years Educator
Blue Room Team:
Lucyna Zwolińska
Lead Educator PRESCHOOL
Christine Hallissey
Early Years Educator
Susan Brierley
Aim Support Worker
Rebecca O'Connor
Aim Support Worker
Yellow Room Team:
Mandy Daly
Early Years Educator
Alessia Calabrese
Aim Support Worker
Farhana Sharmin
Aim Support Worker
Marina Gutierrez
Aim Support Worker
Admin Staff:
Paweł Augustyn
Chef
Wojciech Kulej
Maintenance Worker
Geraldine O'Sullivan
Cleaning Operative
*All staff hold the required childcare qualifications set out by Tusla and have completed Garda Vetting. Each staff member has also provided two verified written references.
Student Programmes
Partnering With Colleges & Training Providers
At the Family Centre, we actively support students completing work experience as part of their early years training. We collaborate with University College Cork, MTU, and Cork College of Commerce to provide high-quality, hands-on learning opportunities.
Work placement enables students to connect theory with real-world practice, developing confidence, competence, and a deeper understanding of child development and early childhood education. This experience helps individuals build essential professional skills, form early career networks, and confirm their vocational pathway — contributing to a skilled and effective early years workforce.
All students must have completed Garda Vetting and provide two verified written references before placement. During their time with us, students are guided by Room Leaders and are expected to follow the same professional code of conduct as all staff members.
Our Partners
