Hello and welcome to The Purple Bell. A School Aged Childcare service proudly based in Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir, catering for both the Gaelscoil and Carysfort National School in Arklow, Co. Wicklow.
The Purple Bell is a school-age childcare service rooted in the heart of the Arklow community, founded by Laura Pierce, who has worked with local children and families for many years. The Purple Bell offers a service that will go above and beyond in creating a warm, welcoming environment where children feel safe, valued, and will have the freedom to be themselves. Laura believes that the primary school years are a key stage in a child’s development and a time where friendships, confidence and a child’s identity begin to grow.
The Purple Bell will create environments that will ensure a child-led, inclusive, and play-based approach is celebrated throughout. The Purple Bell will provide homework supports, and lots of structured and free play activities that will be designed around the children’s own ideas and needs. There will be lots of community involvement too!
The Purple Bell currently caters for children attending Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir and Carysfort National School in Arklow, and are proudly based on-site at Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir. This central location allows us to maintain strong relationships with the school community and offer a convenient, reliable service for local families. Laura and her team will place great importance on building strong, respectful relationships with families and the wider community. They will work closely with parents to ensure each child feels supported while in their care. Regular communication, open dialogue, and mutual trust will be at the heart of everything they do.
My name is Laura Pierce, and I’m incredibly proud to be opening this service in a town that means so much to me. For the past 18 years, I’ve had the great privilege of working closely with amazing families throughout Arklow. It’s been an honour to be a part of so many children’s early years journey and to have built such strong, lasting relationships within the community. I truly feel fortunate to have been welcomed into the lives of so many wonderful families and many of whom I now consider lifelong friends.
I hold a First-Class Honours Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care and through many years of studying various courses, I’ve gained a deep understanding of what children and families need from a childcare service. My experiences in working in other beautiful services has given me not just knowledge, but a heartfelt appreciation for the trust families place in those who care for their children.
Now feels like the right time to take everything I’ve learned and create something of my own. A warm, supportive, and enriching environment for school aged children. The Purple Bell is more than just a school aged childcare service, it’s about providing a space where children can feel safe, unwind, build friendships, and explore their interests in a relaxed and caring setting that is created just for them.
I believe that school aged childcare plays a vital role in a child’s well-being and in supporting families. My goal for The Purple Bell, is to become a trusted and positive presence in our community. A place where parents feel confident leaving their children and more importantly where children feel happy coming in every day.
I’m so excited for this new chapter and I look forward to welcoming you to The Purple Bell.
My name is Niamh Quigley, I have been working in Childcare for 2 years now and I am someone who loves to combine creativity, fun, and a little bit of sweetness in everything I do.
Baking is one of my favorite hobbies there's just something magical about turning simple ingredients into something delicious and comforting. From cookies to cupcakes, and all their favourites, we will definitely have little masterclasses in baking on our Friday treat days.
I also have a big heart for working with kids. Whether it's planning fun, hands-on activities or creating memorable experiences, I love helping kids learn, explore, and just enjoy being themselves. Seeing their excitement and imagination at work is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
My name is Hannah Kilbride! Working with children has always been a true passion of mine. I love being part of their growth and development, and I’m always looking for new ways to improve through ongoing training and courses. In a school age setting, I believe it’s not just about supporting learning it’s about building meaningful relationships. When children feel that strong, positive connection with the adults around them, it gives them someone to look up to and the confidence to be themselves.
Building strong relationships with parents is also really important to me, as it helps create a consistent, supportive environment for each child both at home and in the setting.
Outside of work, you’ll either find me on the football field or out for a walk.
I love staying active and finding new activities to do.
Being part of purple bell is more than just a job for me, it is an amazing team to be part of and having the opportunity to experience kids learning and developing everyday with such curiosity and excitement never fails to bring a smile to my face. I love working with school-aged kids because they are curious, creative, and full of energy. Each day brings new opportunities to engage their minds, support their growth, and help them discover their unique strengths. I enjoy being a positive role model and creating a safe, encouraging environment where they feel heard and valued in purple bell. Watching their confidence grow as they learn new things or overcome challenges is incredibly rewarding. Their honesty, humor, and resilience constantly inspire me, and I feel privileged to play a part in shaping their development during such important years. I look forward to catching up with the kids and hearing all their exciting news and stories before and after school everyday.
My name is Samantha Douglas, and I’m proud to be part of The Purple Bell team. I’ve been working with children for a number of years, and it has truly become more than just a job to me, it’s a huge passion. I find so much joy in creating a safe, nurturing, and fun environment where children can relax, play, learn, and build lasting friendships.
There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing children happy, laughing, and confident in being themselves. Whether we’re getting creative with arts and crafts, helping with homework, playing games, or simply sharing a chat after school, I believe every moment is an opportunity to make a positive impact.
I bring patience, energy, and a caring heart to everything I do. I’m always looking for ways to support each child’s individual needs and interests, and I aim to help every child feel welcomed, valued, and excited to return each day.
I’m truly looking forward to getting to know all the amazing children and families who are part of this wonderful community.