Nominee for Best Women Led Business

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Childcare is not a one-size-fits-all industry and finding somewhere that’s close and suits your needs can be a trial.

In 2009, Marie O’Mahoney was approached by a Millstreet local who highlighted the need for a preschool and afterschool in the area. With the support of the Millstreet Community Council, Curious Minds opened in January 2010. Since then, they have opened full daycare services in Dromagh and Tullylease National Schools, and as recently as 2021, they continue to adapt to the community. The preschool numbers were expanded to 66 daily and the afterschools moved across to the GAA Hall. All services are thriving, with all of them reaching or near their full capacity.

They have been accredited by Early Childcare Ireland with the highest Award for quality, Siolta Level 4, Healthy Ireland and Irish Business Foundation 2021 and 2022 Childcare Service of the Year for Co. Cork.

But there’s no sign of slowing! They plan to open a baby and toddler room in 2023 to meet local needs. “With local services with waiting lists out to 2024/25, there is a real need”.

The group continue to increase their quality of care as new methods and ideologies come into practice regularly.

They pride themselves not only on their ever expanding and diverse clientelle, but also for their flexibility and costs. Their booking system helps them stand out - childcare needs can be adjusted on a weekly basis to suit each individual family. Throughout the commuinity, they are well known for working behind the scenes to support families in every way they can. Parents regularly offer compliments to the team, and reviews online reflect this. “It is serving small communities and working within those” she said, and this is reflected in the goals and dedication they display. “It is an absolute honour and privilege to be included in the best woman led business category for this prestigious award,” Marie said, on behalf of the team, “a lot of hard work and dedication over the past 12 years has been dedicated to growing Curious Minds in Millstreet (2 locations), Dromagh and Tullylease so far. I am very fortunate to have a strong team of 25 whom I work alongside each day along with our families and children past and present whom without this shortlisting and success would not have been possible.”

There is interest in opening other services in rural schools and communities, and they are already veryt involved with numerous charity and fundraising events. With such a tightknit team of 25 who work so well with families of all kinds of needs, it’s easy to see Marie’s aspirations of a home away from home style service coming to fruition as she and her team continue to go above and beyond what is expected or required.