Claire O'Buacháin
Rathfarnham
Summary
28 years of experience in ECCE SAC sector across private and community voluntary organisations. Proven leadership in diverse teams, fostering an environment that supports staff in delivering best practices for optimal outcomes for children and families. Strategic oversight aligns program initiatives with organisational and funder goals.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Early Years (Children and Families) Support Worker
Lifelong Learning Team
08.2022 - Current
- Responsible for managing the Parent Child+ Home Visiting Program in homes, homeless hubs, and IPAS centers.
- Mentor home visitors to ensure parents are supported to be their child's first and best teacher.
- Facilitate weekly reflective supervision meetings, providing a space for continuous professional development, ensuring a quality, family-centered home visiting program is delivered.
- Review and develop a manual of best practice principles that reflect fidelity to the program, providing a strength-based and trauma-informed approach to home visiting practice.
- Acting as the Early Years specialist within the Partnership, and liaising with colleagues.
- Actively developing external relationships with key agencies and bodies to strengthen strategic links and connections, to focus and coordinate the most appropriate services offered by DSCP.
- Identifying gaps and providing accessible opportunities for vulnerable parents to engage in evidence-based parenting initiatives.
- Working with parents and families on a one-to-one basis to provide personal action plans, directly delivering programs, and signposting families to other services where relevant.
- Providing support to Community Childcare services through a 'School Transitions Project' to ensure the best outcomes for children in their transition from ECCE to Primary School.
- Gathering information, statistics, and preparing reports as required, including the administration of databases as appropriate to the role.
- Reviewing progress on an ongoing basis, and adapting plans accordingly.
- Actively participating in service reviews, evaluations, and contributing to the development of policy and practice within the area of work and DSCP as a whole.
- Board of management representative for community childcare services, offering expert advice on policy changes and quality service delivery.
- Manage annual budgets, and apply for funding as required.
- Representation on a variety of interagency groups, including the Trauma Informed Practice Network, the Infant Mental Health Network, etc.
- Evaluating and contributing to the development of policy and practice within the area of work, and within DSCP as a whole.
Placement Supervisor, ECCE BAHONS Degree Students
National College of Ireland
09.2024 - 05.2025
- Provided guidance and support to students during their work placement module of Year 2 of the ECCE BAHONS degree program.
- I observed each student on three placement visits throughout the year and provided formative feedback.
- Graded assignments are required in line with the QQI assessment process.
- I attended and participated in the cross-moderation meeting.
- Completed the second marking of assignments to ensure a rigorous assessment process, as required by Higher Education Authorities (HEA).
Early Years Numeracy Programme Coordinator
Early Learning Initiative ,National College of Ireland
Dublin
06.2017 - 06.2022
- Early Learning Initiative (ELI)
- Led the implementation of the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Early Childhood Numeracy Programme for children from birth to 8 years attending early childhood education services, infants' classes in DEIS primary schools, and School Age Childcare (SAC).
- Planned and facilitated Community of Practice meetings for early childhood educators and infant class teachers in primary school through in-person and virtual delivery, as required.
- Design, organize, deliver, and evaluate CPD workshops for professionals and parents.
- Provide mentoring and support to early years practitioners, SAC staff, in implementing national frameworks, Aistear and Síolta.
- Supporting parental involvement in children's learning, in accordance with the Aistear Síolta practice guide.
- Developing systems to support reflection in early years education practice.
- Liaise with statutory and voluntary bodies, as required.
- Manage the allocated budget and accounts for ELI in line with procurement policies.
- Prepared presentations and represented ELI at conferences, as required.
Childcare Manager
Ozanam House, Society of Saint Vincent De Paul
Dublin
04.2007 - 06.2017
- Led the day-to-day management of a pre-school and SAC setting in accordance with required regulations and the local emerging needs of families within the community.
- Ensuring the service complies with Childcare Regulations.
- Maintenance of service in line with contractual requirements of funding schemes, ensuring financial sustainability.
- Ensure the service is prepared for Pobal audits, as required.
- Led the implementation of Siolta and Aistear guidelines and practices throughout the service.
- Provided mentoring, training, and support to staff to deliver inclusive educational programs, placing family participation at the center of practice.
- Supervise and manage qualified educators, CE staff, volunteers, and students.
- Plan and facilitate staff team meetings, with a focus on the emerging needs of service, and deliver appropriate training as required.
- Establish and maintain supportive, capacity-building relationships with diverse parent groups and families experiencing marginalization.
- Liaise with other professional statutory agencies to signpost supports for parents, as required.
- Child Protection Designated Liaison Person for service, referrals to the Social Work Department as required.
Manager
Kids Inc. Crèche & Montessori
Ranelagh
08.2004 - 03.2007
Assistant Manager
Daisy Chain Crèche & Montessori
Milltown
01.2003 - 01.2004
Childcare Assistant
Narnia Nursery
Kilmacud
01.1997 - 01.2000
Education
MA - Educational Practice
National College of Ireland
Dublin09-2021
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts - Learning and Teaching in Further Education
National College of Ireland
Dublin09-2019
BA HONS - Early Childcare Education
National College of Ireland
Dublin09-2018
Diploma - Crèche Management
National University of Ireland/School of Practical Childcare
01.2005
City and Guilds London - Child and Community Care
School of Practical Childcare
Dublin01-1995
St. Louis Highschool
Dublin01.1994
Skills
- Home visiting
- Child development
- Family support
- Education frameworks
- Policy writing
- Community outreach
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Program evaluation
- Strategic planning
Hobbies and Interests
- Walking
- Cooking
- Cycling
- Pilates
- Yoga
References
Available upon request
Additional Courses And Training
- Marte Meo Communications Training, 01/01/09
- Restorative Practice Upskilling Training, 01/01/16
- Numbers Plus, Highscope Training, 01/01/18
- Facilitation Training Course 'The Craft of Facilitation', 01/01/19
- Infant Mental Health Master Class, 01/01/22
- Universal Design Learning Badge, 01/01/22
- Children's First Mandated Person Training, 01/01/22
- Meitheal Practice Training, 01/01/22
- Trauma Informed Practice Training, 01/01/22
- TUSLA Quality Implementation Training, 01/01/23
- Circle of Security Facilitator Training, 01/01/25
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Placement Supervisor, ECCE BAHONS Degree Students
National College of Ireland
09.2024 - 05.2025
Early Years (Children and Families) Support Worker
Lifelong Learning Team
08.2022 - Current
Early Years Numeracy Programme Coordinator
Early Learning Initiative ,National College of Ireland
06.2017 - 06.2022
Childcare Manager
Ozanam House, Society of Saint Vincent De Paul
04.2007 - 06.2017
Manager
Kids Inc. Crèche & Montessori
08.2004 - 03.2007
Assistant Manager
Daisy Chain Crèche & Montessori
01.2003 - 01.2004
Childcare Assistant
Narnia Nursery
01.1997 - 01.2000
MA - Educational Practice
National College of Ireland
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts - Learning and Teaching in Further Education
National College of Ireland
BA HONS - Early Childcare Education
National College of Ireland
Diploma - Crèche Management
National University of Ireland/School of Practical Childcare
City and Guilds London - Child and Community Care
School of Practical Childcare
St. Louis Highschool
Similar Profiles
Alison MillerAlison Miller
Class Instructor at The Adventurers Academy of Lifelong LearningClass Instructor at The Adventurers Academy of Lifelong Learning
Haylee ChausseeHaylee Chaussee
Program Compliance Coordinator - National Schools at Lifelong Learning Administration CorportationProgram Compliance Coordinator - National Schools at Lifelong Learning Administration Corportation
Ibragim ShakeyevIbragim Shakeyev
Volunteer at Grande Prairie Council for Lifelong LearningVolunteer at Grande Prairie Council for Lifelong Learning
ROSS DOOLEYROSS DOOLEY
Sales Director (Medical + Renewable) at Data Exchange Corporation (DEX)Sales Director (Medical + Renewable) at Data Exchange Corporation (DEX)
Kristina DovlatyanKristina Dovlatyan
Reflexotherapist With SCENAR Device at Validus Medical CenterReflexotherapist With SCENAR Device at Validus Medical Center