Teachers
Founder & Manager
From a young age I wanted to work with children and started by volunteering for a children’s music project in Argentina. After moving to Ireland from my native Germany I studied for a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and my love of children developed into a passion for childhood.
Ever since I began my Master’s Thesis in Education in 2008, I have been passing on this passion to ECCE students in Mary Immaculate Collage, Limerick. My subjects have included early childhood pedagogy, creativity, music making, research and outdoor learning. It is very rewarding to see students flourish and bring the values and ideas discussed in class to the children in their care. But in September 2017 Project Afterschool – now Seedling Nature Schools – hatched and it was finally time to start practicing what I preach. We’ve had the best time ever since, constantly growing, developing and learning. Most of all we are learning with and from our wonderful Afterschool and Preschool children.
Summary of qualifications:
2008 BA in ECCE, 2010 M.Ed in Education (about young children in International Aid), 2012 Certificate in Teaching Adult Learners (in Childcare), 2019 Certificate in Forest School Leadership
Seedling Nature Schools Director since 2017
the wonderful team of childhood educators
Ciara
Ciara has a Childcare and Education Degree from Cork and several years of experience from Australia and Ireland.
She works in our Preschool. Ciara likes tiny things, loves eating Falafel and her favourite place in the world is Byron Bay in Australia. Her favourite movie is Grease the musical.
Carol
Carol has a Childcare and Education Degree from Carlow and works in our Preschool and Afterschool.
Carol lives on a farm in Cloughjordan and has a magic press at home which is like Mary Poppin’s bag. It contains a never-ending supply of ideas and resources for children’s games and activities.
Leela
Leela earned a degree in Mathematics and a Certificate in Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices before joining the Seedling Afterschool.
She gained childcare training and experiences in the Netherlands and in Galway and is now studying for a FETAC Childcare Qualification.
Leela cooks the most amazing Indian food and provides Indian traditions and great creative experiences for the children.
Claire Murphy
Claire is a Forest School Leader and is studying for a FETAC Childcare Qualification.
She provides Forest School Sessions for Preschool and loves cooking and eating. Her favourite food is Arabic, her favourite movie is Amélie and she still likes to believe at least 6 impossible things before breakfast.
Ruth Stockdale
Ruth is a Forest School Leader and is studying for a FETAC Childcare Qualification.
She provides Forest School Sessions for Afterschool and Preschool. Ruth loves dogs, her favourite place in the world are the Yorkshire dales on an Autumn day and she likes reading anything by Thomas Hardy.
Mary-Ellen
Mary-Ellen is the Service Co-ordinator. She has a Childcare and Education degree from Galway and works in Preschool and Afterschool.
Mary-Ellen is passionate about children’s physical activity and fitness. The first book she ever read is still her favourite book: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Nature Schools early childhood educators.
are fully qualified, very experienced and extremely dedicated to their roles.
We truly value continuity of care and know how important consistency is in a young child’s life – which is why we our team is only made of of all permanent part-time and full-time educators. This means that your child will always know and be familiar with every educator in the service!