My beginnings
Long before running an afterschool childcare business, I began my teaching journey with a degree in Environmental Sciences followed by a HDip in Education at University College Cork. I then decided to head off, on my adventures, and see a bit of the world! I landed my first job, working in an international primary school, in Madrid, where I spent three, wonderful years.
From there I moved to London, where my first job involved working with children from inner city schools. These children had little access to the countryside. I had the very enjoyable job of introducing them to the some of the wonders of nature. We went on treks through woods, along canal walks and spent time at a working farm. I then went on to work as a science and special educational needs teacher at a girls secondary school in London.
The afterschool childcare dilemma
After 13 years abroad my husband John and I made the decision to return home to Cork to raise our own young family. As time came for them to go to primary school I soon found myself with the after school childcare dilemma that faces so many parents these days.
There were few places offering afterschool childcare and those that did, had little outdoor space. As a country girl from West Cork, used to roaming free as a child, I found this alarming! We had recently moved to a house in Ballinglanna, in Glanmire, which I loved because it reminded me of my country background. It had an expansive garden surrounded by trees and hedgerows, backing onto farmland. I fell in love with the house immediately, its proximity to town, and the space for my young boys to play and learn outdoors. So then it came to me, I would start an “afterschool” in my own back garden!
PALS Afterschool opens its doors
When I first began researching the idea of an afterschool service I was surprised to hear that there was little that wasn’t town based. “What about the outdoors? I cried” as I forged ahead. With small beginnings, in the shape of a Scandinavian wood cabin, my afterschool business was born. Pretty soon my cabin was buzzing with happy kids from Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoil, Glanmire and SNCN, Glounthaune, among them my own two boys. I was delighted to have achieved both a work-life balance for my own family and also to be providing a high quality childcare facility for families who needed the support of this after school service. I soon discovered, from my conversations with parents, that there was further requirement for childcare before school and so I began to offer a breakfast club, at PALS.
PALS continues to grow
Since then, PALS Afterschool and breakfast club has grown but still retains its cosy home-from-home feeling. A big renovation project that converted an old barn on the property now houses the kitchen/dining room and two large group areas. Outside we have an astro turf court and our most recent addition, a large outdoor room. This means that outdoor after school activities can take place in all weather, and for me, this remains a priority.
I am very proud of the wonderful space I have created where children can come and feel at home and I continue to put my all, into my work, at PALS. Working with children is a wonderful privilege and listening to them, and to their parents, has truly inspired me and helped PALS to become a place where magical, childhood discovery happens everyday.
Teresa O’Mahony
Founder and Owner at PALS Afterschool
“Working with children is a wonderful privilege and listening to them, and to their parents, has truly inspired me and helped PALS to become a place where magical, childhood discovery happens everyday. “
Teresa O’Mahony, Founder and Owner of PALS Afterschool
