Project Overview
Dunaree Childcare & Pre-School, a family-run childcare business serving the communities of Tyrrellspass and Rochfortbridge in County Westmeath, needed a website to showcase their comprehensive childcare services and establish their digital presence as a trusted local provider. Founded by Mairead Hyland in 2009 with a vision to provide the same high-quality, loving care she would want for her own children and grandchildren, Dunaree has grown to operate three locations offering full day care, ECCE pre-school, and afterschool services. Nua Web Design created a warm, informative website that positions Dunaree as the “home from home” childcare solution for local families, making it easy for parents to understand services, explore government schemes, and join waiting lists with confidence.
Design Goals
The primary objectives for the Dunaree Childcare & Pre-School website were:
Family Trust Building: To communicate Mairead’s personal story as both founder and mother, establishing authentic connection with parents by sharing her vision of providing childcare she would be proud to have her own family enjoy, building trust through shared values.
Home from Home Positioning: To emphasize Dunaree’s ethos of creating a homely, welcoming environment where individual needs are met to high standards, differentiating from institutional childcare through warmth, personalization, and nurturing care.
Service Clarity: To clearly present three distinct services—full day care (6 months+), ECCE pre-school (government-funded), and afterschool club (breakfast and afterschool care)—making it easy for parents with different needs to identify the right option for their family.
Government Scheme Navigation: To demystify government funding options including the National Childcare Scheme and ECCE programme by providing clear eligibility information, subsidy explanations, and practical guidance that helps families access affordable childcare.
Team Credibility: To highlight staff qualifications (Early Childhood Education degrees), longevity (many staff members with 10+ years tenure), and continuous professional development, reassuring parents about the quality and consistency of care their children will receive.
Multi-Location Management: To present three distinct locations—Tyrrellspass (full day care and pre-school), Rochfortbridge (full day care, pre-school, and afterschool), and Dunaree Den (dedicated afterschool facility)—with clear hours, addresses, and service offerings for each.
The Solution
Nua Web Design delivered a comprehensive, parent-friendly website that effectively positions Dunaree Childcare & Pre-School as the trusted local choice for families seeking high-quality, affordable childcare in Tyrrellspass and Rochfortbridge. Key features include:
Founder Story Integration: Prominent “Our Story” section introducing Mairead Hyland’s 2009 founding vision, her love of working with children, and her desire as a mother to create childcare worthy of her own family, establishing authentic personal connection with parents.
Clear Ethos Statement: Articulation of “home from home environment” philosophy where individual needs are met to high standards, positioning Dunaree as nurturing, inclusive, and focused on building confidence and happiness in early years.
Home from Home Messaging: Consistent emphasis throughout the site on homely atmosphere, loving care, and personalized attention that mirrors family environment, appealing to parents seeking warm alternatives to institutional childcare.
Comprehensive Service Breakdown: Dedicated services page with three distinct offerings—Full Day Care, ECCE Pre-School, and Afterschool Club—each with detailed descriptions, age ranges, hours, and unique features clearly explained.
Full Day Care Details: Complete information on infant care starting at 6 months, home-cooked nutritious meals prepared on-site daily, individualized sleep schedules in dedicated rest areas, and child-led play-based curriculum following Aistear and Síolta principles.
ECCE Programme Explanation: Clear description of free universal pre-school programme (3 hours per day over 38 weeks), eligibility requirements (must be 3 years old by December 31st), morning and afternoon session availability, and options to add extra hours or meals.
Afterschool Club Presentation: Detailed breakdown of breakfast club (from 7:30am with nutritious breakfast and school transport), afterschool collection services from local schools (Scoil Chroí Naofa Rochfortbridge and Dalystown National School), hot meals, homework support, and activities.
Priority Admission Policy: Transparent communication that afterschool spaces are limited with priority given to families who attended Dunaree as babies, toddlers, or pre-schoolers, encouraging early enrollment and building long-term family relationships.
Government Schemes Page: Dedicated section explaining National Childcare Scheme with two subsidy options—universal subsidy (€2.14/hour for families earning €60,000+) and income-assessed subsidy (higher rates for families under €60,000), with direct link to ncs.gov.ie for applications.
ECCE Eligibility Table: Clear visual table showing birth date ranges and corresponding ECCE start and end dates (2023 births starting September 2026, 2024 births starting September 2027, 2025 births starting September 2028), making eligibility immediately understandable.
Inclusive Care Commitment: Mention of AIMS programme providing extra supports for children with additional needs, ensuring pre-school is inclusive and welcoming to children of all abilities, addressing special needs families’ concerns upfront.
Team Credentials: Emphasis on rigorous recruitment process, Early Childhood Education degrees for all staff, regular continuous professional development, Garda vetting, and first aid responder training, building confidence in staff quality.
Staff Longevity Highlight: Note that many staff members have been with Dunaree for over ten years, communicating stability, low turnover, and deep institutional knowledge that benefits children through consistent relationships.
Nutrition Emphasis: Multiple mentions of home-cooked, nutritious meals prepared on-site daily for full day care and hot nutritious meals for afterschool children, addressing parents’ concerns about food quality and convenience.
Curriculum Framework: References to Aistear and Síolta principles (Irish national early childhood frameworks), child-led approach, play-based learning, and both indoor and outdoor play, demonstrating pedagogical knowledge and structured approach.
Three-Location Presentation: Dedicated locations page with distinct information for each facility—Tyrrellspass (8am-6pm, full day care and pre-school), Rochfortbridge main (7:30am-6pm, full day care, pre-school, afterschool), and Dunaree Den (dedicated afterschool facility with term-time and non-term options).
Complete Contact Information: Individual phone numbers for each location (Tyrrellspass 044 9221768, Rochfortbridge 044 9224485, Dunaree Den 044 9222200), plus central email (dunareechildcare@gmail.com) and mobile (087-1279645), making it easy to reach the right facility.
Waiting List Integration: Multiple prominent “Join Our Waiting List” calls-to-action throughout the site, acknowledging demand while giving parents clear pathway to express interest and secure future placement.
FAQ Section: Strategic frequently asked questions addressing what Dunaree is, age groups served (6 months to primary school including 6th class), services offered, staff qualifications, and ECCE programme details with links to fees page.
Menu Information: Dedicated menus section (referenced in navigation) providing transparency about food offerings, appealing to parents concerned about nutrition and dietary accommodations.
School Transport Details: Clear specification of breakfast club transport to Scoil Chroí Naofa Rochfortbridge and Dalystown National School, and afterschool collections from same schools, addressing logistics concerns for working parents.
Term-Time Flexibility: Explanation of both term-time only and full-time afterschool bookings, with full-time option including mid-term breaks and summer holidays care, accommodating different work schedules and childcare needs.
Visual Warmth: Photos showing children engaged in activities, staff interactions, and facility spaces creating warm, inviting impression that reinforces “home from home” messaging and helps parents visualize their children in the environment.
Primary School Preparation: Messaging about two-year pre-school programme ensuring children reach potential and are well-prepared for primary school transition, addressing parents’ educational readiness concerns.
Community Connection: Emphasis on serving “local communities of Tyrrellspass and Rochfortbridge,” positioning Dunaree as integral part of community fabric rather than anonymous commercial childcare provider.
Mobile Responsiveness: Fully responsive design ensuring busy parents can research childcare options, understand government schemes, check eligibility, and join waiting lists whether on desktop, tablet, or mobile devices.
Results
The new website has successfully positioned Dunaree Childcare & Pre-School as the trusted, family-oriented childcare choice for families in Tyrrellspass and Rochfortbridge. Mairead’s personal founder story creates immediate emotional connection with parents who share her values about quality childcare, transforming what could be transactional service selection into alignment with a provider who truly understands parental priorities. The “home from home” messaging throughout the site resonates with parents seeking nurturing alternatives to institutional daycare, while the comprehensive service breakdown helps families identify whether they need infant care, pre-school, afterschool services, or combination packages. The dedicated government schemes page demystifies National Childcare Scheme and ECCE funding, empowering families to access subsidies they might otherwise miss and making quality childcare financially accessible to broader income ranges. The clear eligibility tables and subsidy explanations remove confusion, while direct links to application portals streamline the enrollment process. The emphasis on staff credentials, longevity, and continuous training addresses parents’ deepest concerns about who will care for their children, while the rigorous recruitment messaging builds confidence in staff quality. The home-cooked meals and nutrition emphasis appeals to health-conscious parents while solving the practical problem of preparing meals for working families. The three-location presentation with distinct hours and services helps families choose the most convenient facility, while the school transport details solve critical logistics challenges for working parents. The afterschool priority policy for existing Dunaree families encourages early enrollment and builds long-term relationships spanning multiple children and childhood stages. The waiting list calls-to-action acknowledge strong demand while providing clear pathway for families to secure placement, turning interest into concrete next steps. By combining Mairead’s personal story with comprehensive service information, government scheme guidance, and consistent “home from home” messaging, the website positions Dunaree as the childcare provider that local families trust with their most precious responsibility—the care, development, and happiness of their children.
Why Choose Nua Web Design?
Nua Web Design specializes in creating websites for childcare providers, early learning centers, and family services that need to build trust while explaining complex services and funding options. Whether you’re a single-location daycare, multi-site childcare operation, pre-school, or afterschool provider establishing your digital presence, their team understands how to communicate warmth, professionalism, and credibility that converts anxious parents into confident clients. They create family-friendly websites that tell your story, simplify government schemes, and help parents take the next step with confidence.
Transform your childcare business online. Contact Nua Web Design in Dublin to create a website that builds trust with families and showcases the quality care you provide.