"A child is not a thing to be moulded, but a person to be unfolded."

- Mary McGibney, Co-founder

Our Story

Founded by two mothers with vast childcare experience, The Park Academy crèches are far from ordinary – they are renowned and accredited Centres of Excellence in childcare.

When their own children were quite young, sisters-in-law Mary McGibney and Gerri Cobbe – having worked for many years in childcare and the catering industry – conducted exhaustive research both in Ireland and abroad. They were astonished to discover that Ireland didn’t have a single crèche designed and built as a childcare centre.

So, in 1995 they worked together to open Ireland’s first purpose-built crèche. As working parents themselves, both Mary and Gerri knew the frustrations and concerns of parents trying to work full time whilst raising a family.

‘We can really identify with the pressures and stress mums have,’ Mary says. ‘We’ve been there ourselves, and we created Park Academy to make life easier for working parents and more fulfilling for their children.’

It’s been a family-run business ever since. Indeed, Gerri’s mother May did all the cooking herself, and she established a tradition of personal attention to nutrition that has remained a cornerstone of all Park Academy crèches. Not only is the food fresh, healthy and carefully prepared, but each centre is designed with the kitchen close to Reception (not tucked away in back), so parents can poke their heads in and have a chat with the chef at any time. (And maybe come away with a tasty treat for the road!).

Of course, Park Academy is much more than state-of-the-art facilities, excellent nutrition and absolute safety. It is, above all else, about top-quality childcare. Our approach is informed by the most current childcare methodologies - including Montessori, High/Scope and Reggio Emilia – adapting the best aspects of each to suit a wide variety of children and circumstances.

Each Park Academy centre is a place of wonder, exploration, tender warmth and guided learning where every child is treated like one of our own.

Call today 1890 273 243 to arrange a visit.