Irish Preschool | Naíonra based in Dunshaughlin

Naíonra a Rithe is located at Gaelscoil na Rithe in Dunshaughlin. We have a morning and afternoon preschool sessions.

There is a large playroom with a huge outdoor garden play space in our Naionra.

We cater for children aged 2.8 to 5+ years of age.

Free ECCE spaces are available upon request.

Most children attending the Naíonra will attend the local Gaelscoil.

The Naionra has been recently inspected by Tusla, Pobal and the Department of Education and Science.

The highly qualified staff at the Naíonra focus on providing your child with the fun indoor and outdoor nurturing environment to help develop your child holistically and to enable your child smooth transition from home to preschool and from preschool to primary school.

Your child’s day at Naíonra na Rithe will encompass the Aistear play curriculum with a mixture of the Montessori, High scope and play curriculum through the medium of Irish.

The Naíonra is open for 38 weeks a year: approx. from the end of August until mid of June.

Our Aims

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OVERALL DEVELOPMENT

To support the child’s overall development during their early years

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PRACTICAL LEARNING

To help children who are being raised with Irish to enrich their language skills by providing early-years education through their home language

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SECOND LANGUAGE

To help children acquire a second language in a natural setting

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EXCELLENT SERVICE

To provide an excellent service so that children are assured of a safe, enjoyable and beneficial experience in a friendly environment, under the supervision of qualified staff.

A little tour around Naíonra

Take a little tour around our Naíonra with Caitlín.

What parents say about the Naíonra in Dunshaughlin

Absolutely grateful to Caitlín for her professionalism, for her brilliant approach to my son. She's helped him settle in Naíonra in no time. After a couple of month since he started preschool, I've started hearing Irish words here and there (we don't speak Irish in the house). It was amazing, because Alex didn't have a word of Irish before he started. Caitlin has always been there to answer all my question, and once Alex started having tantrums at a drop off after summer, Caitlin recommended a few techniques to help Alex adapt faster. So happy I found Naionra! Alex sees it as his second home, and loves going back every day. I collect a tired, happy kid, who's full of stories of how they played outside today. I feel it's so beneficial to any child to play outdoors, and Caitlin is very pro such a play. Thank you! 

Alex's mum

Caitlín Ní Chinnéide

"Hi my name is Caitlin, I was born and raised in Donnegal, and I have operated the Naíonra since 1998. I am married with three children.

I am hugely interested in childrens' early development and the benefits of outdoor play for young children.

I've obtained the following qualifications:

  • Montessori Dimploma for children from 0 - 6 years
  • Honours degree in Early Childhood Care & Education (TU Dublin).
  • Diploma in Irish (NUI Maynooth).
  • Qualified special needs assistant.
  • Inclusion Coordinator (INCO) with LINC (MIC College, Limerick).

You are welcome to contact me in relation to any aspect of your child attending the Naíonra, particularly:

the child's acquisition of Irish, separation from a parent/carer, toilet training, transitioning to and from preschool and any other questions that you may have."

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ARE YOU NEW TO THE AREA?

Feel free to contact me and I will advise you on some tips to help you settle in our beautiful village, in Dunshaughlin.

The benefits of bilingualism

At the Naíonra we would like to show you and your child every support while you are undertaking this journey together.

We hope that this booklet will answer some of the questions you might have in relation to the Naíonra approach, Irish-medium education and your role as a parent.

Feel free to download and read it, and contact us if you have any questions.

Additional Links

Here you will find some useful resources & links to support you and your child.

AISTEAR

Aistear is the Irish curriculum framework for children from birth to six years of age. It includes information for adults to help to plan for and provide enjoyable and appropriately challenging learning experiences that will allow all children grow and develop as competent and con dent learners and form loving relationships with other people.

Link: Aistear - PDF Booklet

SÍOLTA

Síolta is the National Quality Framework for Early Years Children’s Services. If the staff in an early-years service can demonstrate excellent understanding of the principles of Síolta, they will be able to provide a high-quality experience for the children in their care.

Link: Síolta - PDF Booklet

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Gaeloideachas have devised the following booklet
of Frequently Asked Questions, that will support
your concerns in relation to your child
acquiring a second language.

Get your child onto our waiting list!

Click below to download our Waiting List form. Fill it out and sign it please. Send a scanned copy with your signature to our email address, or drop it to the Naíonra.