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 beginning to be introduced to a second language. A child who acquires a second language at an early age is thought to have a deeper understanding of semantics – the meaning of what a word describes over and above its symbolic representation in writing.

We are very proud to be a multi-cultural, multi-lingual centre. We know that in their early years, children have the best capability to learn new languages, therefore our teachers incorporate Irish, Spanish, and Polish into their lessons. 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 Managerial Team

JOHN BOWMAN & LORNA LEAHY, OWNERS

John’s Qualifications: BA Hons in English and Geography, RELSA/TEFL, Diploma in Academic Management

Lorna’s Qualifications: BA Hons in Languages, Post-Graduate Cert. in Education, ALCM in Drama and Music, CELTA

John and Lorna have each worked in education for over 25 years. Both have taught abroad and at home for many years; and more recently, both have managed language centres and teacher training colleges in Cork and Galway.

Lorna is also a trained piano and speech and drama teacher, and enjoys introducing these elements into our activity camps at BEL Childcare. Lorna and John are committed to making our centre a safe and nurturing place for your children, and they are available to meet you at any time.

BRITTANY BURKE, MANAGER

Qualifications: BA Hons in Early Childhood and Primary Education

Brittany is originally from the United States where she held several lead positions across the early childhood, primary, and secondary education sectors. In addition to her lead teacher roles in several pre-schools, Brittany taught secondary level Language Arts and Social Studies.

She later went on to teach primary school before moving to Ireland where she became a pre-school leader once again, and later went on to become Manager. Drawing on her past experiences both in writing curriculum and in teaching, Brittany is constantly working to enhance the curricular learning experiences offered here at BEL Childcare.

ANA GARCIA, ASSISTANT MANAGER

Qualifications: BA in English Studies, RELSA TEFL

Ana is originally from Spain but has lived in Cork since 2001. Ana has worked in administrative roles from 2004 in two busy language schools. Ana has been working at BEL Childcare since 2013 and deals with the day to day running of the crèche, updating policies and procedures and managing accounts.  Ana has also completed HACCP training and is involved in creating our menu each week and assisting in the kitchen from time to time.  Ana is an experienced Spanish teacher and has taught both adults and children in Ireland and Spain.