Playdays Community Childcare

Playdays Community Childcare was established in 2000 by parents in the community who saw the need for the service, and was set up in the then church hall. Following a short break to Middletown, we returned to Malin Head Community Centre thanks to the building of a purpose built playschool, funded by Pobal.
The preschool is open 9.15 to 12.15 Monday to Friday and operates with the same holidays as the local national school.

The times coincide with both Malin Head and Urbalreagh National Schools; enrollment forms are available from Colette during Playdays hours.

The preschool has a large range of play equipment both inside and out in a secure learning environment.

Playdays are affiliated to Donegal County Childcare Committee, in that we follow their guidelines, standards and appropriate insurance requirements. Our staff are all highly trained in early childhood care and eduation and child protection and are Gardai Vetted.  Our staff currently consists of a full time manager Collette O’Doherty, with support from TUS and FAS scheme workers (essential providers of staff for the organisation). We also have voluntary staff and facilitators who come to give us the benefit of their experience to help us provide a wide range of learning for our kids.

The Afterschool Club was established in 2010, initially under Malin Head Community Association Ltd International Fund for Ireland funding, being transferred to Playdays when this funding ended in January 2014. Providing lessons in musicical instruments, baking, art and dance the afterschool provides a good selection of opportunities for our young people. We also run a summer scheme and activities during July and August.

As part of our aim to give our community’s kids experiences to remember, we have also enjoyed taking part in 3 parades with the carnival group including opening of the Derry Fleadh in 2013 as Vikings with a giant Viking longboat and made a mini movie called “the terror at Malin head!”

We take pride in being involved in helping to bring the community together and to also help in fundraising for the centre, previously involved in The Brawl in the hall, soap box derby, the variety shows, Santa’s stop at the top, Halloween fright night, and many family fun days and nights.

Enrolement forms for Playdays or the Afterschool Club are available at the centre during opening hours or by calling 0863391223 or email [email protected]

We have a dedicated staff team with volunteers helping out as well.