About Us At Teach Spraoi
“Knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world.” – Albert Einstein
“The best-kept classroom and the richest cupboard are roofed only by the sky.” – Margaret McMillan
Nora can still remember the sensation as a child of crushing autumn leaves in her fingers and marvel at
the flight away in the breeze. The petting of moss underneath her fingers and the joy of seeing it spring
back. Cloud watching, star gazing. word collecting, the music of poetry. Scrambling up trees to beat
any squirrel and cubby making in the woods. She wanted her young son and other children to
experience this wonderful introduction to nature hence ‘Teach Spraoi’ Toonagh was born in 2010.
Nora weaves her academic abilities within the nature kindergarten. She holds a First class Master’s
degree from NUIG Galway. An honours arts degree from UL Limerick. A HDip honours level 8 in Early
childhood care and education from Carlow IT. Nora also lectures at 3rd level on environmental and child development. Two level 6 in early education. The new level 6 linc programme, the access and inclusion model for neurodiversity for all. Lámh sign language and Hannon communication methods and loves to upskill and is constantly curious about new methods of learning and engagement with the natural world and sharing it with others particularly the children.
Our Team
Saskia - Preschool Practitioner
My name is Saskia and I have been working at Teach Spraoi since 2014. I work as a preschool practitioner and one afternoon a week in the after-school service.
I have a degree in international communications and obtained QQI level 5 Childcare to be able to work in the sector. I have completed Level 7 in Early Childhood Education and Care through IT Carlow in 2020.
I was drawn to work at Teach Spraoi because of the emphasis on nature, the outdoors and the environment and all things living. Children that attend Teach Spraoi get to embrace their early year development through play and exploration in a natural environment. Children learn to care for plants and grow and look after them throughout the year. Climbing, running, jumping is encouraged in the stunning setting that gives the child opportunities to investigate their physical abilities in nature.
I grew up in Norway and as the saying goes there; ‘Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær!’, meaning ‘There is no bad weather, only bad clothes!’. And this is very true for Teach Spraoi, children get to feel and experience all the elements. Children simply adore making mud cakes and jumping in puddles, so once they are properly dressed we go out.
Teach Spraoi offers a wide and varied range of resources to encourage the children’s imagination and curiosity to blossom. Most things that can be done indoors can also be done outdoors and I particularly enjoy letting the children experience activities such as painting and play-dough outside.
I feel truly privileged to work in a beautiful setting, with wonderful colleagues and have had the blessing of getting to know so many young children at their early stages of life and to be part of their journey.
Marie - Preschool Practitioner
My name is Marie and I joined Teach Spraoi in 2019 as a childcare practitioner. I have a Fetac Level 6 in Childcare and Montessori Education, as well as a Healthcare and Special Needs qualification. I work mornings only in the ECCE scheme.
I have always been a great admirer of the Montessori Method and worked as a Montessori teacher before joining Teach Spraoi. However, I am enthralled by the outdoor and nature aspect of Teach Spraoi. I love the freedom and diversity it imparts and how each child can explore with wonder their natural environment and where each child is treated as an individual.
I enjoy the outdoor environment and I have a lifelong love of gardening and nature. The ethos of Teach Spraoi encapsulates everything I enjoy about life, the courses I have done and the knowledge I have acquired. I feel privileged to be able to pass my learning and skills onto the next generation.
I have many hobbies – gardening, photography, sewing, crochet, arts & crafts, and being a DIY enthusiast. I love exercise – walking, running, hiking and swimming. I am a very energetic and enthusiastic person and love getting stuck into projects of all sorts.
Sandra - Preschool Practitioner
Hi my name is Sandra