Further Development

In 2002 Anna set up the National Office to try to expand Home-Start. Joan Ashbrook, who was a volunteer, took over the day to day running of the Blanchardstown Home-Start service. Cathy Kelly was the administrative assistant and was joined by Denise McQuaid in 2006. Sadly due lack of funding the National Closed its doors in 2008.

In 2002 we applied for and received a grant from The People In Need to build a creche facility. We also received the remaining funding from ECOP the European Union Funding to complete the project.

In 2003 we opened our respite creche. The creche manager is Ann Murray. Initially we opened for 3 hours a day but this soon turned in to 4 hours a day and then extended to the afternoons. Our service is referral based which can consist of Public Health Nurses, General Practitioners, Social Workers, other agencies e.g. Barnardo’s, Oakridge, Early Intervention and Self referrals.

As the creche is funded by the Pobal (Government Supporting Communities) Subvention Programme, we open from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm for children ages ranging from 4mths to 2.08mths and then from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm for ECCE children ages from 2.08mths to 5years 5 afternoons a week. Our creche facility here at Home-Start Blanchardstown offers respite tailored to the needs of the family and his respite can be provided from 2/3 days up to 5 days if required.

In conjunction with our service, we offer the Parents Plus programme to all new parents. This allows the parents to make connections with peers, helping to breakdown isolation and build confidence.

Ann and her team are committed to ensuring that the needs of the child are continuously being met and are accessing the relevant services as needed both for Parents and children.

Joan Ashbrook has retired as Co-ordinator of the service after dedicating twenty-eight years to Home-Start both in her capacity as a volunteer and then moving on to be the Co-ordinator for the past eighteen years.

Cathy Kelly Kelly has retired as Co-ordinator of the service after dedicating twenty-seven years both in her capacity as an administrator and then moving on to be the Co-ordinator and Family Liaison for the past eighteen years.

Ann Murray stepped into the role of both Creche and Home-Start Service Manager in April 2019, continuing to support our Families and Team on a day-to-day basis.

Maria Byrne has been appointed as the new Co-ordinator for Volunteers and Family Liaison of our Service July 2023.

Niamh Smith oversees the Reception/Administration of the service commencing Dec 2021 to present.

Our Creche Team is made up of our Four Early Years Educator leads along with a fantastic team of both Community Employment and TUS Early Years Educators.

Emily Kiely – Supervisor for Early Years Crèche
Olufunke Are – Room Lead ECCE
Hasmik Babaeva – Room Lead NCS
Lidia Melinte – Room Lead
Muireann Ryan – Room Lead

We are also very fortunate to have the services of Suzanne Gutmann, Play therapist who is invaluable to our Service in occasionally working with the Children and Families of Home-Start Blanchardstown.