Every summer Laois County Childcare holds their annual family fun day with a cultural theme, which is open to everyone in the county. We have had many fantastic activities over the past number of years, from African drumming, balloon modelling, circus tricks, puppet and magic shows, sports, games and much more and we will be doing it all again on Saturday 23^rd June this year. Keep an eye out for details of this year’s event.

Laois County Childcare will host its annual Father and Child event on Saturday 12^th May this year. Last year’s event saw sports and games at Portlaoise Leisure centre as well as music and dance with the happy hearts club. If you have any suggestions or ideas for what you would like at this year’s event just let us know. Admission is free for all fathers and children and everyone is welcome.

2011 Laois County Childcare began offering workshops and training specific to the needs of parents in the county. In order to ensure that all workshops are of maximum benefit to parents, LCCC invites parents to make suggestions as to the topics they would like covered. Date: Thursday 26^th Apr Time: 7-10pm Location: Portlaoise Parish Centre Cost: €5 p.p

The training will be six hours in total – the first days training lasts for four hours while the second days training, approximately six weeks later, lasts for two hours. During the second days training groups are given the final pieces of equipment – this follow up time also gives groups the opportunity to run through any questions they might have.  Date: Saturday 31^st March & Saturday 28^th April                             Times: 10am-2pm & 11am-1pm  Location: Venue TBC  Cost: €50 per group

Laois County Childcare Committee will run information Aistear Session,  

Aistear Workshop:   Date: Thursday 19^th April Time: 7-9 pm Fee: FREE  Location: Portlaoise Parish Centre

Aim: To provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and attitude to enable them to lift and move loads in accordance with good manual handling techniques.

Date: Saturday 12^th May  Time: 10am-1pm Location: KTC Training, Portlaoise. Cost: €50 per person

Date: Saturday 24^th Nov Time: 10am-1pm Location: KTC Training, Portlaoise. Cost: €50 per person

Aim: This is a Practical First Aid Course which is run over two days and covers the units below.

Units: 1 Accident Management, 2.Bleeding 3. Fractures / Burn 4.Head Injuries 5Basic Life Support 6. Final Assessment

Date: Friday 23^rd March(4-7pm) Saturday 24^th March(10am-4pm)   Location: Irish Red Cross Centre, Raheen. Cost: €50 per person

Date: Friday 2^nd November (4-7pm) Saturday 3^rd November(10am-4pm)   Location: Irish Red Cross Centre, Raheen. Cost: €50 per person

LCCC has identified the need for workshops which are specifically targeted at providers who are offering school age childcare. We are currently consulting with Childcare Providers as to what topics they would like to see covered during 2012.

We would encourage all school age childcare providers to complete the short survey. The first workshop of 2012 has been scheduled below. A second workshop will take place in October this year.

Date: Saturday 10^th March   Time: 10am-1pm   Location: Parish Centre, Portlaoise.

Cost: FREE