About Us

About Us

Footsteps Preschool is a private seasonal preschool and a member of the following organisations:

  • Mayo County Childcare Committee
  • C.C.E Scheme (which funds free preschool year(s))
  • Early Childhood Ireland
  • Pobal/Tusla Inspected
  • Department of Education

We are governed by the Department of Education and are inspected by Tusla and Pobal/DCYA

We adhere to principles of Siolta & Aistear Frameworks.

We have a child protection policy in place which we recommend all parents should read in conjunction with all our other policies.

We have Parent Information Table/Notice Board in the Hall/foyer in each school.

All Staff are highly qualified, Garda vetted and have in the areas of First Aid, Manual Handling and Fire Safety. 

We adhere to Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children.

Our Staff (Qualifications and Experience)

Edel Hyland

Preschool Owner / Leader

  • NCEA Diploma in Child Care (Level 9/10)
  • Additional Needs Training- i.e. PEC’s (Picture Exchange Communication System)
  • Play Therapy/ Floor Time
  • Teacch for Children with Autism
  • Studio 3 Management in Classroom of Challenging behaviour
  • Lámh
  • Manual Handling/ Lifting Training
  • Behaviour Modification/ Positive Behaviour Training
  • Making a difference training, Aims Diversity Training
  • I.P.P.A Professional Development Training adhering to Siolta Principles’
  • Parenting Facilitator (0-6 years)
  • Mindfulness Practitioner
  • Buntas Start Course (Physical Activity) Programme for Preschool children
  • Creative Arts for Preschool children
  • Kids Active
  • Teacher on the Teaching Council of Ireland
  • High Scope Qualified
  • Staff Administration and Management
  • First Aid (Qualified Stac Practitioner and First Aid Responder (FAR) training)
  • Health and Safety in the work place/ Fire Safety Trained
  • Positive Behaviour training linked to Siolta and Aistear
  • Leadership Training
  • Covid-19 Return to work Training
  • Infectious Diseases Prevention Training
  •  Clean Pass Training
  • Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Training Programme (AIM)
  • Túsla The Quality and Regulatory Framework eLearning Programme

Sinead Bohan

Manager (Headford) 

  • BA in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning (Level 8)
  • Leadership for Inclusion Coordinator (LINC-Level 6)
  • Paediatric First Aid Course
  • First Aid Responder (FAR) training
  • Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Training Programme (AIM)
  • Child Safeguarding (Tusla- Always Children First Foundation Training)
  • Marte Meo Training Programme (Positive Interactions)
  • ECDL Computer Training
  • Clean Pass Training
  • Covid 19 Return to Work Training
  • Infectious Diseases Prevention Training
  • Outdoor Play all year round training
  • Túsla The Quality and Regulatory Framework eLearning Programme

Corina Gibbons

 Manager (Knockroon)

  • Fetec Level 5 and 6 in Early Childhood Care and Education (Distinction)
  • Paediatric First Aid Course (Stac Practitioner)
  • First Aid Responder (FAR) training
  • Manual Handling/ Lifting Course/ Fire Safety
  • High Scope Trained
  • Leadership for Inclusion Coordinator (LINC- Level 6)
  • Positive Behaviour Trained
  • Child Safeguarding (Tusla: Always Children First Foundation Training)
  • Computer Technician
  • Early Years Inclusion Trained
  • Covid 19 Return to Work Training
  • Infectious Diseases Prevention Training
  • Aistear & Síolta Workshops
  • Hanon Training
  • Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Training Programme (AIM)
  • Túsla The Quality and Regulatory Framework eLearning Programme

Helen O'Neill

Manager (Glencorrib)

  • Fetec Level 5 and 6 in Early Childhood Care and Education (Distinction)
  • Paediatric First Aid Course (Stac Practitioner)
  • First Aid Responder (FAR) training
  • Leadership for Inclusion Coordinator (LINC-Level 6)
  • Computer Skills
  • Child Safeguarding (Tusla: Always Children First Foundation Training)
  • Making a Difference Training- Aims
  • ASD Awareness Training
  • Professional Autism Training Programme
  • Aistear and Siolta Training
  • Covid 19 Return to Work Training
  • Infectious Diseases Prevention Training
  • Clean Pass Training
  • Túsla The Quality and Regulatory Framework eLearning Programme