Child Day Services

School

In 1966, St. Hilda's School was founded. It was initially based in a bungalow provided by Mother Hilda of La Sainte Union Sisters, staffed entirely by volunteers, providing 2 hours of education each day to children with intellectual disabilities; the school is now located in Grace Park Road, Athlone.

Aims and Objectives of the School:

Provision of quality education for all children according to their abilities and needs.
Overview of school activities.
Sport- participation in Special Olympics, e.g. athletics, swimming and gymnastics.
Play- playground has been constructed at the rear of the school.
All academic subjects are taught and the curriculum guidelines are closely followed as laid down by the Department of Education.
Other curricular activities include self-help skills such as cookery, bed-making and domestic chores.

The school has a staff complement of 7 teachers, including an administrative principal, 7 classroom assistants and a general assistant.

There are currently 25 children attending the school ranging in ages from 5 to 18 years old.

Location : Grace Park Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Telephone: (090) 6475825.

Pre School

The PreSchool was originally located in St. Hilda's School, Grace Park Road. In 1994 it moved to its current location in Coosan, Athlone.

Aims and Objectives:

A multidisciplinary approach, with staff & therapists working together as a team for each individual child; a person centred approach, allowing for each child's needs to be met. Individual plans are drawn up with parents, therapists and other relevant parties, which allow all staff to focus on the child's strengths and improve on their weaknesses. There is a major emphasis on speech and language with each child being encouraged to communicate to the best of his / her ability. The provision of a child friendly and comfortable environment where the children work, learn and play!

Overview of Activities:

Assisted play & free play.
Set structured learning sessions.
Individual learning sessions.
Circle time (singing).
Group learning sessions.
Day outings.

Presently there are 7 staff and 16 children in Clonros. Additional supports include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy & psychology.

Location : Old Coosan Point Road, Coosan, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Telephone: (090) 6478940.

Benbradagh

Benbradagh opened on October 9th 2006. Previous to this, the service was based in Cornamagh for 11 years and was known as Chestnut Lodge.

Benbradagh is located in a dormer bungalow providing a day service for children between the ages of 2 and a half and 18 years with a severe to profound intellectual disability.

Aims and Objectives:

To provide a day service using a holistic approach of care and taking into consideration the abilities of the people we work with, in assisting each of them to reach their full potential in their lives, health related issues that may arise are treated as priority this is done in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team.

Overview of Activities:

Enhancing the children's communication skills, gross and fine motor skills, cognitive and personal development skills through the education programme.
Outings into the community - Swimming pool.
Trips to play centres (St. Hilda's Special School playground for example).
Multi-sensory activities including massage, aromatherapy, tasting sessions, art sessions, table top activities.

This unit is supported by nursing, care and education staff thus supporting the social, care and educational needs of each individual.

Location : Westwood, Summerhill, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

Telephone: (090) 6494141.