Ballyshannon National School, Kildare

Karl Barry

Karl Barry is the very proud father of 4 wonderful children. He has a teenager, a 3 year old and twins who are one. He has over 15 years’ experience working in the Advertising industry in various senior management positions. Karl decided to invest in Sherpa Kids and run a franchise in Kildare in August 2015. With 2 schools now open and a 3rd opening its doors to Sherpa Kids in April it has been a very exciting year for him.

“I understand the difficulties of trying to find a good work/life balance. Both my wife and I seem to spend so much time each year trying to find reliable, affordable childcare where we know our children will be safe and secure. As soon as we came across Sherpa Kids we were sold. Sherpa Kids offers parents a very flexible high quality service which is both reliable, affordable and based in the familiar and safe environment of the school.”

Karl is also a fully qualified graduate psychologist who has a keen interest in childhood development. “Having such varied activities each day, which are delivered by fully qualified and Garda Vetted staff really stimulates the children and keeps them engaged. There are learning outcomes from each of the structured programmes which are aligned with Siolta and Aistear. The social aspect for each child attending Sherpa Kids is significant, encouraging children to be more confident. They learn through arts and crafts, music, drama, sports, games, cooking and lots of other individual and team based activities. The only problem we have in our services is sometimes trying to get the children to leave when parents come to collect them!”

Get in Touch

We provide a stimulating environment with programmes specifically developed for primary school aged children based onsite in Ballyshannon National School. Our programmes are both flexible and affordable and children are cared for in a safe familiar environment by fully qualified & Garda Vetted staff.

Before School Care: 7:30am – 9:00am  Monday to Friday

Children at Ballyshannon National school can come and get their morning off to a healthy start in our Breakfast Club. We provide a nutritious breakfast and the kids enjoy playing games, reading, relaxing, construction or simply catching up with their pals from Sherpa Kids.

After School Care: 13:30pm – 18:00pm Monday to Friday

Afterschool Care in Ballyshannon National School includes a tasty snack, homework club and daily exercise along with our structured programmes which vary each day offering arts and crafts, music, drama, sports, games, science projects, cooking and lots of other fun activities based around a weekly theme.

Holiday Care/Summer Camps: 09:00 – 14:00 Monday – Friday ( we also provide a before or after camp care service for parents who require more hours).

Sherpa Kids Multi Activity Summer Camps provide a high quality, affordable alternative to childcare during the summer months. We offer a fun and safe environment for kids to explore their creative side through arts and crafts, music, drama, and cooking while ensuring they stay active through sports, games and lots of other fun activities.

What do our camps offer?

·    Fully Qualified Garda Vetted staff

·    Excellent facilities for all of our activities – We don’t need to worry about the rain!

·    Fun, safe and familiar environment for children to explore

·    Arts and Crafts

·    Music & Drama

·    Sports and Games

·    Cooking

·    Outdoor Activities

·    Technology

·    Science Projects

·    Reading

·    Chill Out Time

·    Free Play

·    Daily Exercise

To down load a copy of our parent handbook please click here

To download a copy of our enrolment form please click here

To download a copy of our newsletter click below

St-Josephs-Ballyshannon- Newsletter – May 2016

Ballyshannon and Kilcock Newsletter January 2017

Sherpa Kids Ballyshannon Programme Coordinator – Leona Dunne

My name is Leona Dunne and I am the Programme Coordinator  at Sherpa Kids in Ballyshannon National School. I am the mother of a little girl and I am extremely passionate about the education & care of children of all ages. I have recently obtained a Level 8 Honours degree in Early Childhood Education & Care from the Institute of Technology Carlow and I also have a Level 5 Fetac certificate in Childcare that I attained at St. Conleths Vocational School , Newbridge. I received a Merit of Excellence award for my hard work and participation at my graduation, which I was extremely grateful to receive. The three years spent at IT Carlow really allowed me to understand the development of the child and how progression takes place throughout each child’s personal development. This greatly interests me as each child develops at a different rate throughout their life and so facilitating them in an environment that promotes this is crucial. I believe that for each child to really reach their goals throughout life they need to be provided with the correct structure and skill set and this is done through observing what each child’s hobbies and interests are. Children learn through doing and observing so consistently providing them with positive role modelling achieves this. If the child is happy and content in their surroundings they will know that they are safe, respected and valued in an environment that is inclusive, promotes equality, diverse, interesting and always fun. It is a goal of mine to be ever progressing in my own professional development as learning continuously allows the best type of quality practice be provided to children and their families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lorraine McGovern the principal of Ballyshannon N.S.

Sherpa Kids opened its doors at Ballyshannon National School in April 2016.  We consulted with Karl, Sherpa Kids owner and in a short space of time we started preparations to open Sherpa Kids at our school.  Karl and Sherpa Kids staff prepared a classroom which is used for the club. It was brightened with murals, shelving and colourful table tops.  There are specific zones for light meals/snacks, homework, rest time and play.  Parents drop their children early in the morning and use it after school for short periods or until 6.00pm when Sherpa Kids closes in the evening.  Each morning and evening the staff at Sherpa Kids leave the classroom very clean and tidy and ready for class. The club has lots of themed activities which are carefully planned by their staff.

Sherpa Kids has blended in very well at Ballyshannon NS and there has been no disruption to the everyday running of the school.  We have built up a very good relationship with Karl who has been most helpful. He offers a great care service with dedicated staff who consider parents’ and childrens’ needs.

Parent feedback from a parent in Ballyshannon N.S

“We are working parents are extremely grateful for hero’s like Hannah and the team who look after our most prized treasures in this world. Couldn’t do it without them!!

I am delighted with Sherpa Kids in Ballyshannon. Aoife is so content and loves the stimulation through the structured and fun activities. Sherpa Kids is a fantastic service and it’s great that the school and the service can offer this in a partnership approach. The family environment you are leading is second to none. I would highly recommend the service to anyone and encourage everyone to utilise it as it’s such an easy transition for the children. Things can change so quickly and we went from relying on my wonderful parents to not being in a position to do so. This is where the Sherpa service has something to offer everyone be it before or after school or during holiday time for camps.

Thank you and Karl. Sherpa Kids are now like part of our family!”

Geraldine, Joe & Aoife

“ Tom has been attending sherpa since they arrived in the school and I have to say it is an excellent service.  I find the staff excellent and very reliable and trustworthy and tom really enjoys his time there.”

Caroline Brennan

Ballyshannon National School, Kildare