WHO WE ARE

Read about our mission, goals, aims and values. 

At Daisy Chain Crèche, our mission is to provide high-quality, inclusive early childhood education and care for all families in our community, within a warm, safe, loving, and nurturing environment.


Guided by the principles of Aistear and Síolta, we recognise each child as competent, capable, and agentic — an active participant in their own learning and development. We believe children thrive when they are encouraged to explore, express themselves, and make meaningful choices about their play and learning.


We are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive setting, where every child and family feels respected, represented, and valued. We celebrate the uniqueness of each child and embrace the rich cultural and social diversity of our community.


The early years are a critical time in a child’s life, and we prioritise each child’s well-being, identity, and belonging, while supporting their sense of agency and empowerment. Our goal is to provide an environment where all children can grow, learn, and flourish — emotionally, socially, creatively, and cognitively — and reach their full potential in a way that honours who they are.


At Daisy Chain Crèche, our curriculum is thoughtfully designed using the Aistear Early Childhood Curriculum Framework and enriched by elements of the Montessori method, ensuring a balanced, child-led, and developmentally appropriate approach to learning.


We aim to support each child’s unique learning journey by:


• Respecting every child as a capable, curious, and agentic learner, who is actively involved in shaping their own learning through play, exploration, and relationships.


• Providing a rights-based, emergent inquiry-based curriculum that includes a wide range of planned and spontaneous activities, thoughtfully designed to stimulate, challenge, and support holistic development — including emotional, social, physical, creative, and cognitive growth.


• Supporting children to develop skills at their own pace, in ways that reflect their individual interests, strengths, and needs, while nurturing their sense of identity and belonging.


• Creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment where all children feel secure, confident, and free to express themselves freely through play and exploration. 


• Encouraging critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and communication by offering meaningful opportunities to explore, ask questions, and make choices.


• Observing and documenting each child's learning journey through learning journals and stories, which reflect their development, interests, and voice.


• Working in partnership with families, recognising parents and guardians as the child’s first and most important educators. We value open communication and collaboration, and we welcome your ideas, insights, and contributions to our curriculum planning.


• Ensuring our curriculum and daily practice reflect the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, so that every child feels seen, respected, and empowered.


At Daisy Chain, our goals are guided by the national frameworks Síolta and Aistear, ensuring that our practice reflects high standards of quality, inclusivity, and responsiveness to each child’s needs.


• To provide high-quality, developmentally appropriate care and education for all children, both pre-school and school-age, in a nurturing and respectful environment that supports their holistic development.


• To create a play-based learning environment that is rich in possibilities, where each child’s individual interests, abilities, and pace of learning are valued and supported.


• To promote the development of the whole child, including their social, emotional, physical, cognitive, creative, and language skills, through meaningful, hands-on experiences that encourage exploration, problem-solving, and critical thinking.


• To recognise and support each child as an active, agentic learner, capable of making choices, expressing ideas, and contributing to their own learning journey.


• To work in genuine partnership with parents and families, involving them in all aspects of their child’s experience in our setting, and respecting them as the child’s first and most important educators.


• To build strong, trusting relationships with children and families, fostering a sense of belonging, well-being, and connection that helps each child feel confident, secure, and understood.


• To ensure families see Daisy Chain as a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment, where diversity is respected, each child’s identity is valued, and parents feel confident that their child is receiving the highest standard of care and education.


At Daisy Chain, our core values guide everything we do. We are committed to being reliable, inclusive, honest, and professional, creating a high-quality early learning environment where every child and family feels valued and respected.


We understand that every parent wants the very best for their child. Choosing early childhood care and education is a big decision — and we are here to provide the support, trust, and reassurance families need.


Our highest priority is ensuring that children feel safe, secure, happy, and heard in their new environment. We know that the early years lay the foundation for lifelong learning, well-being, and development.


At Daisy Chain, we recognise and celebrate the individuality of each child. We create a nurturing space where every child is seen as competent, capable, and full of potential. Our curriculum and daily practice are designed to meet each child where they are — supporting their unique interests, pace, and learning style.


We are committed to building strong, respectful relationships with both children and families, and to fostering an environment rooted in equity, inclusion, and child-led learning.


Our Centre Managers

Every one of our educators is a trained professional with a deep passion for education. Here is our management team.

Bernie Smith

Manager - Milltown

Rebecca McGrath

Manager - Stepaside

Maria Rego

Manager - Terenure

Clara Yerga

Manager - Rathfarnham

What some of the Parents say:

“Our little boy started in the Baby Room at 10 months. From the time of his introduction, the most important thing for us, as parents, is that he has been cared for with the kindness, affection and experience that only comes when carers love children.

From the beginning, and to this day, little things were noticed. I was always reassured by the fact that staff know my baby and his personality as he was offered so much opportunity to develop.

 He loves the other children in the room and there is always an athmosphere of positivity, activity and comfort. He has been hugely supported in the Wobbler Room & we are really thrilled with the care he receives every day in Daisychain.

We probably don't say 'thank you' enough.”
Mary G, Rathfarnham
“This Créche is a home from home for my son and daughter. Danielle and her team are super at their job and manage to know every child properly. They make sure that they're each being minded in a way that suits the individual.

Each of the girls treat the kids like family, and I can honestly say that I've never seen an unhappy child there. 

They go above and beyond making the days full of fun, activities, play and care. I couldn't recommend the place enough.

Thank you all”
Triona H, Dublin 6
“From the very first day when we visited Daisy Chain, we were delighted to see the care & attention given to all the children there.

It was evident that the children's needs were put above all else. Our daughter joined the créche at only 7 months. All of our concerns about leaving her were put to rest, when we saw how well she was being looked after.

So far she has been in the baby & wobbler rooms & both have been fantastic. Particularly the staff in these rooms & the manager have made our daughter so welcome and looked after.

Our daughter is well settled into the centre now & enjoys being known by all of the staff from the different rooms.

We are delighted with our experience in Daisy Chain.” 
Emer M, Sth. Dublin
“Daisy Chain is such a super créche. Since the very first day I brought my little girl there, I've been nothing but impressed by the dedication and hard work of all the staff. They are incredibly supportive and there is always a great atmosphere in the rooms.

My little girl is so happy going in every day and it's good to know that she's constantly getting the very best care and attention.”
Breda B, Rathmines

Food & Nutrition

Daisy Chain provides a hot meal and breakfast for all full time children in our care, which is supplied by a specialist caterer. They provide a pre-cooked meal, which is delivered to our nurserys.

Health & Safety

We at Daisy Chain ensure all equipment; fixtures and fittings comply with the safety standards. Within our nursery, it is the shared responsibility for all staff to ensure the children are kept safe within our service.

Security

We have an open door Policy for our parents. Parents can visit at any time throughout the day. All our services have intercom access to our main doors. All unauthorised visitors must sign in and out of the centre.