“We have always invested in our team’s career development, and we are proud that many of our managers and leadership team members started their career with Giraffe as newly qualified practitioners”
We are frequently reminded that a career in childcare is rewarding and for those working in an early years setting, we know that this is so true. Early Childhood Educators play such an important role in supporting young children and are responsible for laying the foundations for their first experience of a more formal learning environment outside the family home.
The first five years of a child’s life form and inspire children’s futures and shape their development to support them in becoming well rounded individuals.
As a Childcare Practitioner, you get to observe children growing and developing the skills that will shape their lives forever. As a Childcare Educator, you have the wonderful opportunity to watch the children make their first friends, take their first steps, grow, develop, and learn skills that will form the basis of a lifetime of learning.
Take off on your childcare career with Giraffe Childcare
When choosing a career, it is important to be conscious that there are opportunities to grow and develop your skills to build a fulfilling and rewarding purpose in life.
As Ireland’s largest and leading Early Childhood Education provider, we are proud to be able to offer an exciting range of opportunities that will take off your career on the right path.
In Giraffe, we understand our people are our most important asset and we believe in supporting and investing in everyone who works with us. We are proud to support our team members on their professional childcare learning journeys and believe that matching great people to the right roles, ultimately, creates the best outcome.
We offer support and training to our practitioners and empower them to take a lead in the curriculum and welcome their ideas, to create a fun learning program for the children. As we are proud partners with Busy Bees, our scale means Giraffe can offer team members professional development and international opportunities that smaller organizations may not be able to offer.
Many of our students who attend our centers for work placement will join our team and develop a long career with Giraffe. We have always invested in our team’s career development, and we are proud that many of our managers and leadership team members started their career with Giraffe as newly qualified practitioners or through our work placement program.
Who is Giraffe Childcare?
Giraffe Childcare first opened its doors in its IFSC crèche in 2001 and today has 21 childcare centres, with two new and beautiful centres opening soon, in Shackleton and Rathgar.
Our centres are based across Dublin, Meath and Kildare and employ over 600 childcare team members, serving many families every year. We offer childcare places from the age of six months to five years, as well as after school care for children up to the age of 12 in some centres.
Giraffe Childcare was acquired by Busy Bees in 2019. Busy Bees are the U.K.’s leading provider of childcare and have centres in Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, and Australia. With a career in Giraffe Childcare, you gain access to our Busy Bees Global Community.
So, if you have ever thought about the possibility of exploring a new country, immersing yourself in to a new culture and meeting people from all over the world, Giraffe Childcare can assist you in bringing your career international through our Busy Bees family.
We believe in empowering future childcare students, so, if you have just started a QQI course and are looking for work placement get in contact today to discuss how you can take off on your career with Giraffe.
As a testament for the love of what we do, we have been consistently voted Best Crèche, five years in a row by our parents and staff.
We believe passionately in equal opportunities at Giraffe and whilst we are currently looking for new Early Year’s Practitioners and Educators, we also offer career opportunities and opportunities for our team members that support our centers.
If you wish to inquire about a career with Giraffe Childcare, please contact our team at careers@giraffe.ie today, we would love to hear from you.
Ellen Smyth – My Childcare Journey
This is the story of Ellen Smyth, who started her Work Placement in childcare with Giraffe and in four short years, is now a Deputy Manager of our Elm Park Center.
“I started my career with Giraffe in March 2016 in the IFSC Center through the Giraffe Work Experience Program, whilst I was studying in Sallynoggin College of Further Education. After completing my FETAC Level 5 in 2017, I started full time in the Baby Room in the Elm Park Center, where I cared, loved and welcomed the new babies joining the Giraffe family.
“Everyone was so welcoming and helpful from day one. I had the opportunity to move with the children that I cared for and transitioned with them as they progressed to the next age group. It was fantastic as I was able to create fun activities for them and watch each child develop and help them along the way.
Skills recognised
“In 2018, I was promoted to Center Supervisor, it was wonderful that my skills and special bond with the children was recognised. In 2020, I was again promoted to Center Deputy Manager of the Elm Park Center. I have been able to grow with the children and families of Elm Park throughout the last four years and I am having the best experience, watching the children grow and blossom into their own self.
“I have recently started a part-time Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) at Maynooth University. I am very excited to see what else I can offer the children, as working in childcare is such a rewarding job and I am lucky to be part of such a great team.
Progressing further
“I have now been with Giraffe for over four years, and I am looking forward to progressing further with the help of the Giraffe team. It is a great work environment, with so many opportunities to progress. I would highly recommend everyone to consider joining Giraffe Childcare. It has opened my professional world.”
