Preschool & Afterschool

Pre-school

Welcome to the Holy Cross Mercy Preschool

Why Choose Us?

Choosing the right childcare is such an important decision to make as a parent. It can be an emotional time, especially for first time parents. But please be assured that at Holy Cross Mercy Preschool, your child will be cared for in a welcoming environment and we pride ourselves with our open-door policy. We will work together with you and your child during a settling in period until you are happy and comfortable with this change to your child’s day.

Learn More

Regular Feedback

We ensure that you as parents are given regular feedback by your child’s key workers both verbally and also through our interactive social media app. We schedule meetings at the start of the year and again at the end to allow both parents and staff to exchange helpful information.

Safety & Security

Our facility has controlled access in operation guaranteeing your child’s safety and security at all times. Spacious age-appropriate classrooms provide a comfortable and stimulating environment for children and our garden and equipped playground allow for plenty of play and exploration opportunities.

Registered Service

We are a Tusla and ECCE/NCS registered service which provides two free pre-school years for children before they start primary school and a reduction in fee with NCS subsidy. Children qualify from 2yrs 8months of age. We offer full-time, part-time, sessional and free ECCE Pre-school places.

As we are a community-based service, we ensure our fees are kept as low as possible to support parents.

Pre-School Times

We run two pre-school sessions on a part-time basis, from 8:45–11:45 and 12:00–15:00, and we also offer extended hours/part-time with limited spaces from 08:30–3:15

Our Curriculum

We follow a play-based curriculum in accordance with Aistear: The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. With much of children’s early learning and development taking place through play and hands-on experiences, we aim to nurture their holistic development by providing them with a wide variety of play opportunities and activities.

Individual Support

Learning tailored to each child’s needs

Cultural Inclusion

Families help shape our curriculum

Learning Records

Regular updates on children’s learning

Health Lifestyles

Education that strengthens family health

Relevant meaningful experiences make learning more enjoyable and our curriculum is adapted to support the individual needs and interests of the children in our care. We also invite parents and families to provide input during curriculum planning ensuring cultural diversity is reflected. Every child’s journey is unique and developmental observations and learning journals are recorded and shared with parents regularly.

Since 2017 we have held Healthy Ireland Pre-School Service status and provide children and families with education and support helping them to establish a maintainable healthy family lifestyle.

Our Staff

Our dedicated highly qualified staff team have a wealth of knowledge and decades of experience and are committed to delivering high quality childcare. Staff regularly undertake continuous professional development.

Multi-Agency Collaboration

In our Service, we work in collaboration with many outside agencies such as Tusla, Speech and Language Therapists, AIMS coordinators, Family Support Workers as well as having a dedicated LINC Coordinator as part of our staff team.

Reliable Support Daily

We guarantee low child to staff ratios and boast a low staff turnover allowing children to build caring and trusting relationships with staff members. No request is too big or small and will be carried out during your child’s day with us.

Garda Vetting

All staff are Garda Vetted, have Child Protection and First Aid Training.

Childcare Funded Programmes

There are currently 2 Government funded childcare support schemes in operation for parents & families.

Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE)

The Early Years Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Scheme is a government funded initiative that provides up to 2 FREE academic years of preschool to children who have turned 2 years 8 months before the beginning of September of the upcoming academic year.

The following link provides the most up to date information on the scheme:

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/early-childhood-care-and-education-programme-ecce/

The National Childcare Scheme (NCS)

The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help with your childcare costs. There are two types of childcare subsidy for children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age: A universal subsidy which is not means tested and an income-assessed subsidy which is means tested.

You will find all the information required to calculate and then apply for your childcare on the national childcare scheme website:

www.ncs.gov.ie

Fees & Calendars

Fees for 2025-2026

National Childcare Service Calendar

Service Calendar ECCE

What parents are saying

Guardians Testimonials

‘Both our children attended the Holy Cross Mercy Preschool. Maria and her team are fantastic to all the children. It is a very welcoming and enjoyable preschool environment which had them well prepared and looking forward to starting school.

Our children also attended the Afterschool and Homework Club which they enjoyed immensely. Their homework was completed to such a high standard and all the stress of doing homework in the evening was taken away. This service has been invaluable to us as we both work. Thank you to everyone at Holy Cross Mercy Preschool and Afterschool Club.’

‘The School Homework Club has been a great support for my daughter, and I’m very happy with the service they provide. The staff do excellent work—they are patient caring and always willing to help the children understand their homework. Their positive approach makes the kids feel comfortable and confident. One of the biggest benefits for us as parents is having the option for our children to stay in school until 4:30. It makes life so much easier knowing we can collect them after work without rushing or worrying. In all my daughter’s school life, this is the first year I’ve been able to pick her up myself, and I’m really grateful for that. The price is also very affordable, which is not easy to find for such good support. Overall, the Homework Club offers great value, wonderful staff and a simple solution that helps both students and parents. I would definitely recommend it.’

‘Our two boys attend, one in pre-school and one in after school. We are delighted with both services - they both run in every day with smiles on their faces. All the staff made a great effort to get to know both boys and it is clear they really care about the children and work with the individual child’s interests and needs. Communication is always great with all the staff too.’

‘Our daughter has been going to the homework club in Holy Cross Mercy for the last few years and we’re delighted how helpful it is for two busy working parents. We know she’s being helped with her homework with care, she has lovely group of friends there and she’s always happy stay there after school.'

'We are so happy that we made the right decision to send our child to the Holy Cross Mercy Preschool. Our daughter's experience of the preschool has been nothing short of exceptional. From the beginning, she was nurtured and cared for in a way that made her feel seen and valued. The educators took time to understand her personality and didn't just accept her but celebrated who she is as an individual. Throughout her time in the service, her holistic development has flourished - a reflection on the nurturing and enriching environment created by the wonderful educators. I feel that she has been provided with the best possible start to her educational journey.'

Contact

Holy Cross Mercy Early Years And School Age Service

New Road, Killarney

+353 87 3271972

preschool@mercyholycross.ie

Social

School Hours

Doors Open: 8:30 am

School Starts: 8:45 am

Lunch Breaks: Staggered

Infant Day Ends: 1:25 pm

School Day Ends: 2:25 pm

Afterschool Ends: 2:25 pm

Homework Club Ends: 4:30 pm

Quick Links

Get In Touch

Holy Cross Mercy School

New Road, Killarney, Co Kerry

V93 A096

064 6631241

holycrossmercy@gmail.com

Roll Number: 19487M