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!

Bilingual 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.

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, ALCM in Drama and Music, CELTA, Tusla Always Children First.

John and Lorna have each worked in education for over 25 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 is also a trained piano and speech and drama teacher, and enjoys introducing these elements at BEL Childcare. 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.

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BRITTANY BURKE, CONSULTANT MANAGER

Qualifications: BA Hons in Early Childhood and Primary Education, HACCP, FAR, Child Protection, Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Training.
About Brittany: Brittany is originally from the United States where she held several teaching positions across the early childhood, primary and secondary education sectors.  After moving to Ireland in 2012, Brittany began her career with us as a preschool teacher and later became the Centre Manager in the crèche from 2014 to 2021.  After the birth of her third daughter, Brittany moved into a consultancy role and now works to support the management teams in both our crèche and preschool.  She believes strongly in the value of the early years sector and uses her
knowledge and experience in the areas of curriculum, training, regulations and best practise to help guide our team into the future.

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LAURA BYRNE, PRE-SCHOOL CENTER MANAGER

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education and Care, BA (Hons) Human Resources Management, HACCP, FAR Training, Child Protection Training – Always Children First.
About Laura: Before moving to Cork, Laura studied in Carlow where she also began her career as an Early Years Educator. She believes that learning should always be an interesting and positive experience for children. She has worked throughout the different age groups in our crèche and preschool before becoming Assistant Manager and then Centre Manager. She is focused on enhancing the quality of classroom care and the curriculum within the centre. Laura enjoys the paperwork and interactions that form part of the day-to-day running of the preschool, and her door is always available to support children, their families and staff at BEL Childcare.

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ANDREA GOMEZ, PRE-SCHOOL ASSISTANT MANAGER & LINC COORDINATOR

Qualifications: BA Primary Education, Child Protection Training, LINC, HACCP, FAR

About Andrea: Andrea obtained her Primary degree in Spain and shortly after she moved to Ireland to improve her language skills and to gain experience in a different country. Andrea joined the BEL Team in 2018. She worked throughout the different age groups in our crèche and preschool before becoming Assistant Manager. Andrea is also our Linc Coordinator who leads inclusive practice, inclusive pedagogy and an inclusive culture within the setting. She provides support and information to staff and parents on inclusion of all children. Andrea supports teachers to create a loving and happy environment in all classrooms.

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ABIGAIL HERNANDEZ, CRÈCHE CENTRE MANAGER

Qualifications: BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies, MsocSc in Social Policy, Child Protection, FAR, HACCP.
About Abigail: Abigail is originally from Spain but has been living in Ireland for many years. She completed her BA Honours in Early Childhood Studies at University College Cork in 2010 and went on to complete a Master’s in social policy at UCC in 2012. Abigail is currently studying Psychology as she has a keen interest in this area. Prior to working at BEL Childcare, Abigail worked as an Early Years Educator in several settings in Cork and also provided support to children with additional needs as an AIM teacher. Abigail is passionate about providing quality early years education and care and is continually seeking ways to improve the experience of the children in our care.

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MARIA JIMENEZ, CRÈCHE ASSISTANT MANAGER

Qualifications: Early Childhood Studies (Level 6), Certificate in Tourism (Level 6), Child Protection Training, FAR, HACCP.
About Maria: Maria is originally from Spain and has been living in Ireland for the last three years. 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, Jr & Sr Duty Managers and now Assistant Manager.

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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.