Staff Profiles
I have been working in childcare since 2002, opened Bright Sparks St Josephs in 2008 and the rest is history! I enjoy spending time with my 2 children & husband, going to concerts and sporting fixtures, as well as the odd shopping trip!!. My motto is "Treat each child as though they are your own "
Therese Nolan
Owner/Manager
Mary has 25 years experience of working in the childcare sector and has been with Bright Sparks since 2022, bringing with her the experience of having mangaged a preschool for 9 years previous. She enjoys running in her spare time and believes "Children learn best when they learn through play. Don't just listen, but hear what they say"
Mary Duggan
Deputy Manager, Bright Sparks Daycare
Shauna has gone from strength to strength since joining Bright Sparks in 2020 and is now Deputy Manager and Room Leader of Bright Sparks St Josephs. Being a busy mam of 4, nothing phases her and she approaches all that she does with patience and passion. Shauna enjoys creating hands on, play based learning experiences that encourage creativity, independence and curiosty for every child. Shauna's work ethic is based around the concept that "every child will be seen, heard, valued & respected".
Shauna Tompkins
Deputy Manager, Bright Sparks St Josephs
Mackenzie has been a valued part of the Bright Sparks team since finishing her Childcare Degree in 2021. Mackenzie shows compassion to all in her care and forms great bonds with all her smallies. She enjoys reading, relaxing, practicing mindfullness and belives that "The process is more important than the product".
Mackenzie Treacy
Room Leader, Caterpillar Room Full Daycare
Jenny has known from a young age that working with children was the role for her! She has been with Bright Sparks since 2021 and having 2 children of her own, has brought " A mother's touch" to all that she does. Jenny loves animals and enjoys taking her dogs for walks as well as DIY projects.
Jenny Flynn
Room Leader, Caterpillar Room
Tetiana first came to Bright Sparks on work experience whilst studying for her Early Years Qualification. Her Masters Degree in Education, 20 years experience as a secondary school teacher in Ukraine as well as 8 years as Vice-Principal, really shone and she became a full-time member of the team in no time! She enjoys creating an inclusive environment for all children and believes every child deserves to be shown patience & empathy as well as feeling safe and valued. Tetiana's mottos is "small steps, big discoveries!"
Tetiana Moroz
Early Years Educator, Caterpillar Room
Laurene has a passion for working alongside children to help them reach their full potential and has been doing so at Bright Sparks since 2022. Laurene is currently furthering her studies in the field of Play Therapy and has great interest in the impact that play can have on a child. Messy play is one of her favourite acivities to incorporate into the day. Laurene lives by the famous quote from Walt Disney " If you can dream it, you can do it".
Laurene Mc Carthy
Room Leader, Busy Bee Room & School Age Educator
Emma-Jane joined us at Bright Sparks in 2024 having worked in childcare for 10 years as well as managing another service for many years also. She enjoys art and baking which comes in very useful for planning activities with the children. Emma-Janes motto is "Follow the child's lead and always go at their pace".
Emma-Jane O Sullivan
Early Years Educator, Busy Bee Room & School Age Educator
Sabrina began at Bright Sparks St Josephs in 2019 and then moved to Bright Sparks Daycare when it opened in 2020. She enjoys running, walking and Zumba dancing in her spare time. Sabrina's work ethic is based around the idea of providing a "Home away from home for every child". She believes in the importance of outdoor play for overall physical & mental health and overall wellbeing. Sabrina bases all that she does around the concept of "Following the child's lead"
Sabrina Eid
Room Leader, Butterfly Room
Michelle has been bringing her upbeat way of life to Bright Sparks since 2024 having worked in childcare for over 17years! Michelle loves getting creative with the children, doing lots of arts & craft and singing with them. Michelle lives by "A world without fun and laughter would be a boring one! Be Kind !"
Michelle Longhurst
Early Years Educator, Butterfly Room
Patrize joined Bright Sparks in Feb 2025 having 9 previous years experience working in the childcare sector. Patrize's favourite part of working with young children is seeing their faces light up when they are enjoying new experiences and discovering new things. She finds it very rewarding to be part of their growth & development. Patrize enjoys being outdoors, reading and has a keen interest in all sports. She believes in implementing a curriculum that allows the children to "play, learn & grow"
Patrize Moylan
Early Years Educator, Butterfly Room
Emma joined the team at Bright Sparks in 2023 and has proven to be a great asset ever since. Emma enjoys upskilling her knowledge of the childcare sector. She enjoys going to the gym and going for walks in her spare time. Emma aims to "provide a safe and caring space for all children attending Bright Sparks"
Emma Troy
Early Years Educator, Bright Sparks St Josephs & School Age Educator
Catherine began her studies in Social Care and soon realised that she missed working in childcare and so turned her studies and focus to that. She is currently working on a Masters in Play Therapy which has proven very benefical in meeting the needs of all children in her care. Catherine enjoys being in nature and exploring new places. She believes "Time spent playing with children is never time wasted"
Catherine Ryan
Early Years Educator, Bright Sparks St Josephs & School Age Educator
Katie joined Bright Sparks in September of 2025 and works in Bright Sparks St Josephs in the morning and Bright Sparks Daycare in the afternoons. She has a keen interest in working with children with additional needs and believes patience & understanding to be 2 of her main strengths. Katie enjoys being part of the childrens growth and learning as they become their own person. She enjoys reading, baking and walking her dogs in her spare time. katie's motto is "Be yourself, everyone else is taken!"
Katie Hogan
Early Years Educator, Bright Sparks St Josephs & Full Daycare
Michelle-Anne was born and raised in sunny South Africa and has been living in Ireland for the past 6 years with her son and husband. She just recently qualified with Distinction in QQI level 5 in Early Learning & Care. Michelle-Anne runs our newest service, Bright Sparks Kilkeary. She loves being in nature and enjoys hiking, horseriding and reading. Michelle-Annes motto is one that she has learnt from an early age, "Treat people the way you would like to be treated!"
Michelle-Anne Harrison
School Age Educator, Bright Sparks Kilkeary & Early Years Educator, bright Sparks Daycare
Fiona began at Bright Sparks whilst on work placement from Mary Immaculate College where she is studing Early Years Ed and soon became part of our School Age Service in the evenings and school holidays. Fiona enjoys baking, playing the piano & tinwhistle and believes "Everybody deserves to be treated with kindness...Every Act of kindness deserves another x"
Fiona Grace
School Age Educator, Bright Sparks Daycare
Claire has been providing delicious, nutricious meals tailored to the needs of the children of Bright Sparks since 2021. She loves cooking, baking, walking & swimming and most of all, spending time with her family. Claire enjoys playing the piano and has stepped up on occasion to help out with the music for celebrations at Bright Sparks. Claire's motto is "Always find a reason to laugh and live life to the max!
Claire Dunne
Chef
Margaret joined our team in 2024 and has been preparing many of our home cooked meals for the children of Bright Sparks ever since. Margaret enjoys spending time with her family and keeping active by going to the gym 3 times per week. Margaret's caring nature doesn't stop with her role in Bright Sparks as she is also a member of Roscrea SPCA where she homes many animals in search of their forever homes. Margaret believes in always trying to "Think Positive" which is a great mentality to have when working in such a busy environment.