“Nothing short of fantastic”
“A Breath of Fresh Air is exactly that – a beautiful place in the countryside that made our daughters preschool year one we’ll always remember. From the gorgeous farm setting to the exceptional staff, my daughters experience there was nothing short of fantastic. As well as learning so much (making fiery volcanoes, creating pottery pieces, planting sunflower seeds, the list is endless!) she made some great friends that she is still in contact with. Also, the fun events held throughout the year – pyjama day, fancy dress, sports day – only enhances the magic of her year there. I cannot recommend ‘A Breath of Fresh Air enough to anyone considering it. I know it will always hold lovely memories for our daughter and we’re looking forward to our son making his own special memories once he starts there in September!”
— Gill & Declan Thornton
“Fantastic, warm, fun and safe”
“Molly has had the best year with Lisa & Catherine. You provide a fantastic, warm, fun and safe environment. I can’t speak highly enough of all the staff and facilities”
— Gill & Declan Thornton
“Every child’s dream”
“Daisy had an amazing year in the Big House. Loads of outdoor fun and learning which makes this an extraordinary school. Wellies part of the uniform…every child’s dream!!”
— Shirley & Richard Creagh
“We could not have chosen better”
“When my son Jett arrived from the Philippines, aged 3, he knew very little English, was very quiet, introverted and we didn’t know how well he would integrate and make friends. Choosing the right preschool was so important for him to develop and we could not have chosen better than A Breath of Fresh Air. He was allowed to adjust and settle in his own time, he became confident and quickly made friends. He received the right balance of education, sport, art and skills, experience and of course fun. There wasn’t a single day throughout the two years that he didn’t wake up in the morning asking to go to school.”
— Matt & Ana Gilmer
“The … setting is idyllic”
“Our precious prince attended A Breath of Fresh Air Montessori for 2 years. He received the most professional and caring attention we could have hoped for. No matter what the extra need – and he required many – it was catered for in the best possible way. The farm setting is idyllic, he loved the walks on the farm, visiting the animals, finding treasures in the avenue like conkers and leaves in Autumn, the playground, the Montessori activities and the book club.
The extra activities like the Christmas Concert, the Sports evening, the seasonal camps and the music classes were so much fun and treasured memories. The teachers were lovely, Breda, Anne and Mary being the ones we principally had contact with but all of them highly competent and pleasant. A fabulous school we would recommend to anybody”
— Nick & Sabrina
“Thank you”
“Thank you for showing our son the way in being the best version of himself”
— Martina Brett
“The staff and the owners go above and beyond”
“A breath of fresh air has been a lifeline for my family since last October. The staff and the owners go above and beyond any expectations that you could ever imagine. When my little boy was diagnosed with ASD I never imagined he could have the social skills, imaginative play and most importantly, friends that he has because of the time he has spent in Aghamarta Montessori. In the 8 months he has spent here he has developed beyond my expectations and dreams. I hoped at best these would take a few years to grasp, here he is in months achieving beyond what we dreamt of. He has gone above and beyond the important life skills I could have hoped for and what some parents still dream of for their children. I honestly don’t know how I could ever show them how much I appreciate everything that they did for him and are still willing to do for him so happily. It never seems like work or a chore to them. They have understood my son and accepted him without seeing him as different. They have found the most wonderful people to be around him. My son is a happy little boy because of the understanding and love shown to him by everyone in the Montessori. I could never even express my gratitude, or dream of how I could ever repay them for the difference they have made to all of our lives for loving my son. When people say they can’t recommend them highly enough, it’s true beyond words. I have heard horror stories and I know I never have to worry about them here. With this for the first time I can see a happy, normal future for my son since diagnosis, when that seemed to crumble away with the word Autism. I’m dreading ever having to leave Aghamarta with the support they have provided. It has been the best decision I have ever made for my son.”
— Helen
“It far exceeded our expectations”
“Aoibhinn had the best year in Aghamarta, it far exceeded our expectations. The activities and work stations challenged Aoibhinn and equipped her with great problem solving skills. She loved baking, puzzles and number play. The outdoor space is amazing, Aoibhinn benefited from walks in wellies along the avenue and playing in the outdoor playground. Aghamarta has it all. The biggest advantage for us was the quality of the teachers, Breda and Kiara were fantastic and Aoibhinn bounced into school delighted with her teachers and friends.”
— Jenny
“A lovely welcoming atmosphere”
“I felt a real sense of sadness the day Daniel finished up his preschool year at A Breath of Fresh Air as both of us had enjoyed the experience so much. Mary and Breda were always so positive and encouraging and created a lovely welcoming atmosphere for both pupils and parents. It gave me great piece of mind to know that he was in such good hands. He made some lovely friends and really enjoyed all the extra activities like the Easter egg hunt, Christmas play, sports day and dress up day! We have some lovely photos and memories of his time there.”
— Maria
“A brilliant foundation for school”
“Both of our boys absolutely loved every minute of their time in A Breath of Fresh Air. Our eldest has been going there since he was 10 months old and is just about to start at school. He has a brilliant foundation for school due to Sue and Maeve’s pre-school year and has made so many friends during his time at there. Our younger son is still in crèche and has learned so much from the fantastic staff there. He is excited to be going ‘upstairs’ to Martha’s in September! The crèche has been wonderful for both of the boys and has made juggling working and childcare so easy and stress free for us both.”
— Leona and Ted
“The location on the farm is beautiful”
“My daughter attended A Breath of Fresh Air junior Montessori and absolutely loved it. I couldn’t believe how much she picked up with her language and other areas without feeling like she was in a very formal environment. She loved the teachers and couldn’t wait to head in everyday. The staff are friendly and the location on the farm is beautiful. She’s really looking forward to her ECCE year there now and we have great piece of mind sending her back again.”
— Rebecca
“The staff demonstrate real commitment”
“We are really pleased with the care and attention our daughter receives at A Breath of Fresh Air. The staff demonstrate real commitment, interest and enthusiasm every day. They are very flexible in meeting our daughters needs and remember lots of details about her. She loves going to crèche and has learned so much.”
— Mike and Linda
“The staff are exceptional and so devoted and caring”
“Our little girl has attended A Breath of Fresh Air since she was 9 months old, now 3 she has loved every day, playing and making friends. Our little boy, now 1 year old has just started and adores the social interaction with the other babies and children. The staff are exceptional and so devoted and caring. They made the transition to childcare very easy for us, which is a huge weight off any working mothers mind! The location and farm setting makes it more special for the children. I simply couldn’t recommend A Breath of Fresh Air more highly to parents. If you want a happy, safe child – A Breath of Fresh Air is the place.”
— Sara and Scott
“The children loved visiting the chickens after school”
“My son attended the ECCE year in Aghamarta (A Breath of Fresh Air) Montessori and truly loved his time there. The atmosphere in the school is lovely and the teachers are friendly and really helped the children to settle in. Each week of the year is well planned with each week having a designated colour and number or letter. I found it to be a fantastic preparation for big school…There are also lots of seasonal events throughout the year as well as plenty of time spent outdoors. Being located on a working farm was a big plus for us..the children loved visiting the chickens after school and looking at the tractors in the surrounding fields – what an idyllic location! I would highly recommend this montessori school.”
— Colette