About us – new : BEL Childcare

Why Choose Our Crèche & Pre-School?

BEL Childcare has a wonderful team of qualified, experienced childcare professionals to ensure your child is not only safe but also following a curriculum that is developmentally appropriate.

Starting in a crèche or pre-school for the first time is a big leap for both parents and children. This experience must be a process of establishing trust with parents and teachers so children can become independent as they grow in confidence to manage the world outside of home.

Our Focus

“WE REALISE THAT AS CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS, WE NOT ONLY HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CHILDREN IN OUR CARE, BUT ALSO TO THE PARENTS THAT ENTRUST US WITH THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THEIR CHILDREN. WE STRIVE TO CREATE A SAFE, LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT BOTH CHILDREN AND PARENTS CAN BENEFIT FROM.”

Brittany Burke
Bel Childcare Manager

BEL Childcare in a Nutshell!

Safe, Nurturing Childcare

Our highly qualified staff provide quality care in safe, secure & cheerful facilities.

Hands-on, Early Learning

Each child’s desire for life-long learning is fostered through our exciting curriculum.

Stimulating Environment

The opportunity to explore new materials & relationships in a child-centered environment.

Brilliant Early Learning

The BEL Childcare curriculum offers every child the opportunity of flourishing in the English language while also being introduced to other languages. We are very proud to be a multi-cultural and inclusive centre. We know that in their early years, children have the best capability to learn new languages, therefore our teachers incorporate Irish and other European languages into their lessons where appropriate. This is done through the use of songs, games, flashcards, classroom labels, and group time discussions.

John Bowman
BEL Childcare Owner

Opening Hours

BEL Childcare is open from Monday to Friday, 7.30am – 6.00pm

Our daily routine helps each child adapt to the classroom environment and be prepared for their new environment when they leave BEL Childcare.

BEL Childcare is proud to have a broad curriculum and want children to feel safe to explore a new environment, new materials and new relationships.

At BEL Childcare, we welcome both children and parents into a community that fosters a strong partnership between parents, children & staff.

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Meet our Management Team

JOHN BOWMAN & LORNA LEAHY, OWNER/MANAGERS

John Bowman: BA Hons in English and Geography, RELSA/TEFL, Diploma in Academic Management, Tusla Always Children First.

Lorna Leahy: BA Hons in Languages, Post-Graduate Cert. in Education, Certificate in Early Childhood Care & Education. ALCM in Drama and Music, CELTA, Tusla Always Children First, Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Training.

John and Lorna have each worked in education for over 30 years. Both have taught abroad and at home for many years; and both managed language centres and teacher training colleges in Galway and Cork respectively.

Lorna and John are committed to making our centres a safe and nurturing place for all children, and they are available to meet you at any time.
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ANA GARCIA, GENERAL MANAGER

Qualifications: BA in English Studies, RELSA TEFL, HACCP Level 3, FAR, Child Protection Training.
About Ana: Ana is originally from Spain but has lived in Cork since 2001. Ana worked in administrative roles from 2004 in two busy language colleges. She is an experienced Spanish & English teacher and has taught both adults and children in Ireland and in Spain. Ana has been working at BEL Childcare since 2013 as Assistant Manager at the Creche and Centre Manager at the Pre-school. As General Manager at BEL Childcare, Ana works closely with Lorna and John and is responsible for Fees & Finances, as well as ensuring the highest standards in both centres in relation to compliance, safety, policy, curriculum, training and HR. Ana is BEL Childcare’s HACCP co-ordinator and is responsible for kitchen and food safety compliance.

MARIA JIMENEZ, CRÈCHE CENTRE MANAGER

Qualifications: Early Childhood Studies (Level 6), Certificate in Tourism (Level 6), Child Protection, FAR, HACCP.
About Maria: Maria is originally from Spain and has been living in Ireland since 2018. Maria worked as an Early Years Educator in several services in Spain, catering to children aged 0-3, as well as teaching English as a second language. Maria has experience in a Montessori setting in Ireland and now using Aistear, a play-based emergent curriculum. Maria is passionate about introducing physical activity and mindfulness into the centre and has introduced yoga and meditation into her classrooms. Maria has progressed into different roles at BEL Childcare, such as Room Leader, Duty Manager, Assistant Manager and now Centre Manager.

 
 
 

MARIA FERNANDEZ, CRÈCHE ASSISTANT MANAGER

Qualifications: BA in Primary Education, Child Protection Training, FAR, HACCP.
About Maria: Maria is originally from Spain and has been living in Ireland for the last five years. Maria worked previously as a childminder looking after children aged 9 months to 8 years old. Maria has worked in BEL Childcare since 2021 progressing into different roles such as
Room Leader, Jr & Sr Duty Managers and now Assistant Manager. In the classroom Maria had a keen interest in enhancing motor skills through yoga, movement to music and gym mat activities, as well as encouraging children to gain independence at their own pace. Her dedication to providing a safe and nurturing environment for our youngest children at BEL is evident in her everyday interactions with children and staff.

ANDREYA ALLEYNE, PRE-SCHOOL CENTER MANAGER

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Early Years and Childhood Studies, QQI Level 5 Special Needs Assisting, Child Protection Training, FAR, HACCP
About Andreya: Andreya is born and raised in Cork and she began her career in Early Years in 2018 after completing her studies in University College Cork. She worked briefly in the Crèche in 2018 after University and returned to work at the Preschool in 2021, where she worked with different age groups before becoming Jr Duty Manager and then Centre Manager.
Andreya is very interested in emergent learning and is always striving to ensure the children’s interests are at the forefront of their learning. She also loves utilising music and song in the classroom to create a warm and welcoming environment. Andreya loves to support both parents and staff in the care and education of children and is focused on providing a safe and creative environment in which children and teachers can thrive.

SILVIA MERINO, PRE-SCHOOL ASSISTANT MANAGER

Qualifications: BA in Primary Education specializing in Physical Education, HACCP, FAR and Child Protection training.
About Silvia: Silvia is originally from Malaga (Spain) where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education, specialising in Physical Education in 2017. She furthered her studies in Educational Psychology of Emotional Intelligence and management of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity in the classroom in 2019. After moving to Cork in 2020, Silvia was responsible for the care of three children between the ages of 3 – 6 years and supported them with their daily routines during COVID-19. In 2021, Silvia began her career with BEL Childcare as a teacher in the crèche. She quickly became Room Lead in the Wobbler Room while also performing the role of Duty Manager in the Office. In 2023, she was promoted to Assistant Manager (Maternity Cover) at the crèche and moved into the Assistant Manager role at the Preschool in July 2024.

BEL Childcare’s Management Team

BEL Childcare’s management team includes the owners and managers detailed above, as well as a dedicated group of Duty Managers that work throughout the centres and help to maintain the highest level of service possible for our families.

Questions or Queries?

We understand that a parent will have many questions or concerns when enrolling their children into a childcare facility. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or queries. We're happy to help!