About

Our Greystones and Delgany schools offer a high quality and unique Montessori and Nature programme. We are the first of our kind to offer this dual service and it promises to be a very exciting venture.

The children have the option of completing the Montessori and Nature Programme either in a full or part time capacity. They also have the option of staying until 2 o’clock daily, to suit working parents and tie in with school runs.Knockeevin has 30 years experience in the childcare sector and our dedicated team of professionals continue to remain committed to giving each child the very best start to their schooling, which is – a positive experience which will foster a love of learning for the rest of their lives.

Our schools offer a wide range of facilities and activities and our child centered curriculum is based on Montessori’s philosophy and teachings. These include practical life, sensorial, numeracy skills, literacy skills, culture, movement, arts & crafts, Irish, drama and P.E.

All our staff are Montessori trained and we regularly attend courses to update our skills. This year our team completed the Forest School Teacher Training course, Buntas Sports Programme, Healthy Ireland Smart Start Programme, Speech & Language workshop and First Aid. Our school is recommended by the local primary schools and by professionals working with children.

Meet the team

Knockeevin Montessori School is in the happy position of never having had to recruit members of staff! They have always personally known anyone working with them and have full trust in everyone who walks through their doors in a teaching capacity.

Gill Nichols

Gill and her team founded the Greystones school in 1985 and their dedication and commitment has seen the school grow from a small pre-school service into the wonderful facility it is today. Knockeevin is one of the most established pre-schools in the area. Gill has an A.M.I. Diploma (3-6yr olds) and a Special Ed. Dip. from Benincasa (equivalent to Fetac level 7). She is mum to two daughters and is well known and loved throughout Greystones. Knockeevin is fondly known to locals simply as ‘Gill’s’.

Maeve Murtagh

Maeve first came to Knockeevin as a trainee teacher, she then went on to set up her own Montessori School in Delgany which she successfully ran for ten years before emigrating to the US. Maeve came back to Ireland in 1998 and started her family, she is mum to three boys, all of whom attended Knockeevin. She holds a Diploma in Nursery Foundation and a Montessori Diploma with Hons. from the London Montessori School in Dublin. Maeve has a wealth of experience with children and visibly takes immense pride in watching them come into their own.

Edel O'Sullivan

Knockeevin was lucky to welcome Edel to the team in September 2012. Edel completed her Montessori Postgrad in St. Nicholas, Dun Laoghaire and has been a valuable member of the team since then. Edel has always loved working with children and even though her primary degree is in fashion, she knew she wanted to work in the childcare profession. Edel also has a wealth of experience in childminding. Since coming to Knockeevin she has put her incredible artistic skills to good use, we are very fortunate to have her on our team.

Melissa Harris

Melissa joined the Knockeevin team in September 2014 as a student for her teaching experience. She holds a FETAC Level 6 in Childcare and is continuing her studies toward a Montessori degree. She has been involved in childcare since leaving school and has over 6 years experience in the sector. Melissa is a welcome addition to the team and is especially talented at working with children with special needs.

Mary O'Toole

Mary has been working with Gill in Knockeevin for over 25 years. She has an I.P.P.A. Certificate in Montessori and has a primary teaching background as well as a Fetac Level 5 Certificate in Childcare and Education (Distinction) and has completed courses in the Brain Gym and Stay Safe Programmes. Mary is completely in tune with the children in her care. She considers it a privilege to accompany them on this, their first journey of educational experience and she works very hard to give them a great grounding for life. Mary retired in June 2015 to spend more time with her grandchildren Joey, Cillian and Aaron but like Gloria, remains with the team as an active relief teacher.

Laura Gray

Laura, who is Gill’s daughter, has been involved with Knockeevin from an early age and is clearly intent on following in her mother’s footsteps. She has spent the last three years studying full time at St. Nicholas Montessori College, Dun Laoghaire and obtained her FETAC Level 7 Montessori Degree in 2016. Laura has a genuine love of children and teaching and spends her summers leading childrens camps. She is creative and fun, has a wealth of experience in childminding and is involved with many children/youth groups.

Karen Galligan

Karen began her career as a teaching student in Knockeevin 12 years ago. She earned a Higher Diploma in Montessori from The Portobello School of Further Education and a Fetac level 6 in Advanced Early Childhood Education, both with a distinction profile. Karen became a full time member of the Knockeevin team in 2010 and has since completed First Aid and Manual Handling training. Karen is mum to Ewan, who also went to Knockeevin. In her own words “Having been born and reared in Greystones, I love to work in and feel a part of our great community. Being a Montessori directress is the most rewarding experience in the world!”

Gloria Farrell

Gloria is a qualified Primary School teacher and has a Certificate of Education (Hons). She studied Montessori and Froebel methods of education. Gloria worked for 14 years as a full time Primary school teacher in the UK, Germany and Belgium before coming to Knockeevin in 1986. She was instrumental in setting up the ‘quiet room’ and the decking area, a legacy that benefits all those coming through the doors now. Gloria retired in June 2011 but remains with the team as an active relief teacher. She has proudly taught in excess of 1000 local children over the years!