Our Team

I am Kavita Dayal the Manager in Higgys House. I have worked here in Higgys since it opened it’s doors in 2005. I am passionate and dedicated when it comes to providing a quality childcare service to all the families in Higgys. I have over 30 years’ experience in Early childhood. After completing my fetac 5 and 6 in childcare I then went on to do my Bachelor of Arts in Applied Early Childhood Education and Care in 2021. I have my Children First training in Child protection, HACCP, Student supervision & First Aid Responder (FAR).
I believe that we learn so much from Children by listening to them and this in turn helps us develop an environment that focuses on what they need. I feel that through love and kindness children learn to build positive relationships and life skills. I enjoy working with the parents and families in Higgys and making them feel that their child/children will get the best possible care while they are here. Working with a team and maintaining the highest standards of Care for the children has always been and is my main focus.

I have been a part of the Higgys House team since we opened in 2005 and have over 25 years of experience in childcare. My qualifications include Montessori Education, childcare and special education. I Have been the Montessori directress and room leader over my years in Higgys and I am currently the assistant manager and Inclusion co-ordinator. My role as Inclusion co-ordinator is to support all children’s equal access and active participation on their learning journey.

Hi I’m Danielle, call me Danni for short. I am early years educator in the Pine Room and have my QQI level 5 in early years and education and care and I am currently studying my level 6 in childcare. I also have First Aid Responder Training (FAR). I adore every aspect of working with children. They fill everyday with so much fun and laughter. They teach me how to have fun and enjoy the little things.

Hi my name is Sandra Madden, I joined the Higgys team in 2017. I have over 28 years experience in Early childhood education. I have a level 5 QQI and Level 6 advanced QQI in Early childhood care and education. What I love about working with children is how rewarding it is to see our babies in the Willow room grow and develop their unique personalities. I have a wealth of experience in working with babies and toddlers and love being able to support families as they start out on their journey in Higgys in the Willow room. I am a mother to two teenage girls in my free time I love to exercise and shop.

I joined the Higgys team in March 2023 and I work in the Oak room. I have an honours degree in early childhood education and care and I have been working in childcare for the past 7 years. I have also completed my first aid responder training (FAR), manual handling and Children first (E-learning programme). I really enjoy my job and love to see the children happy and having fun everyday! 

I joined Higgy’s in October 2022 and I work in the Oak Room. I have a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education & Care. I have always worked with children and I enjoy being in an environment full of happiness. Part of my reason for working with children was my love of them as my mother worked with children and that influenced my decision in choosing childcare as my profession. Allanah

I’m a Preschool teacher from Hungary with 10+ years experience in childcare in 2 countries. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I joined Higgys House in 2022.
I’m very passionate about helping children under my care to reach their full potential. I am a huge supporter of child-led, play-based curriculum and use my creativity and knowledge from the LINC course to provide stimulating, hands-on experiences in a safe, inclusive, fun, home from home environment. I also believe that "Every Child is an artist" and my motivation is to help the children to believe it too, and express themselves freely.

I joined Higgy’s House the beginning of September 2022 as Lead Educator of the Pine room. I have a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care and with placements and work have 5 years of working in this sector. In the UK I worked part-time as a classroom assistant in a Primary School and raised three children of my own. My passion is to make a classroom environment stimulating and inviting for the children to play and learn while looking after their care and needs. I have completed my First Aid Responder, HACCP and Safeguarding.

I joined Higgy’s in November 2022 and I am the Room Leader in the Willow room. I have worked in childcare since 2017. I have a degree in Primary Teaching and a master in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. Being able to see those smiley faces and hear their laughter is what brings me joy every day.

My name is Maria. I have QQI level 5 in childcare and I am an early year’s educator in the wobbler room. I have 2.5 years’ experience working with children in a creche setting and also have a 6-year-old boy of my own. In my free time I love anything music related and spending time in nature.

Hi I’m Sophie Kelly and I am a Level 5 qualified childcare practitioner who truly loves what I do and the children I care for. I worked in a crèche as I worked towards getting my level 5 qualification. As a childcare practitioner every day I feel grateful to be part of their world, supporting them as they learn, grow, and discover new things. I am passionate about creating a happy, safe, and nurturing environment where each child feels comfortable, valued, and encouraged to be themselves. I love planning days that are full of variety, new experiences, and opportunities for learning through play. One of my favourite parts of the job is watching children become more confident and settled with me over time. I embrace the messy days just as much as the calm ones. Childcare is such a rewarding career to embark on and I genuinely cannot imagine myself doing anything else.

Hi my name is Sarah Carroll, I have been working in Early Childhood Education since 2013. I completed my practicum in Higgys for my Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Montessori education in 2012. I then worked in Higgys form 2014-2016. In 2016 I moved to New Zealand where I spent 8 years there working in Early Childhood education, during this time I worked closely with the New Zealand curriculum TeWhariki and spent 5 years in a management role. When I returned to Ireland in 2024 I was grateful to rejoin the Higgys team and I now work across the Willow and Pine rooms. I am passionate about creating educational experiences for babies, toddlers and young children that encourage them to learn through play. Relationships are at the core of my teaching philosophy and I believe in celebrating all children as unique individuals.

My name is Leila Argoshi I am from Canada and moved to Ireland in 2017. I graduated from George Brown College. I have been educating children of all ages from 6 months- 13 year for the past 16 years. I am qualified level 6 and have recently completed my sna level 6 course. I joined Higgys in July 2025 I work in the Pine room with the toddlers and I am loving the adventure of learning about all the children here at Higgys.

I am Kayleigh Brauner and I have 8 years of experience working in childcare with a Level 5 qualification. I am passionate about child development and creating positive learning experiences, with a strong love for outdoor play and activities. I enjoy helping children learn and feel confident while watching them grow and reach important milestones.

Hi, my name is Katie Ryan. I have been working in Higgys house since October 2024. I have been working in the toddler, pine room since I have started. I always had an interest in early years since I left secondary school. From school, I went on to do childcare level 5 where my work experience started. I continued on with childcare level 6. I started work experience in a 3 hour preschool where it resulted in employment after my level 8 degree in early childhood. I decided to branch out and try full day work in a crèche. I love watching the children’s individual personalities shine through. I enjoy creating and choosing fun daily activities. It brings great joy to my day being greeted by the warm hugs as I enter the room in the mornings. I am passionate about involving the children in the organisation and set up of activities, this is where I get to learn about the children’s interests.

Hello, my name is Jennifer Byrne , but everybody knows me affectionately as "Jen". I am the Room Leader of the Cherry Room, working alongside my colleague Kayleigh with preschoolers from the age of 3-5yrs. I have been working in the Early Years Sector for over ten years and I am passionate about working with and caring for children. I also have a deep love of music and the Irish language and enjoy incorporating my guitar into the musical and creative tapestry of Higgys House. I have had the pleasure of being a part of the Higgys team for almost four years and look forward to contributing to the Higgys Legacy for many years to come.

I am Belen Mateo Bonache, originally from the sunny city of Valencia, Spain, I moved to Ireland to immerse myself in the language and further enhance my English skills.
I hold a Degree in Early Childhood Education, complemented by a Master’s degree in Special Educational Needs (SEN). My background allows me to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every child feels valued. I am passionate about early development and dedicated to helping the children reach their full potential through creativity and personalized support.

Hi my name is Ali O’Reilly, I joined Higgy’s House in October 2025. I began working in the Willow Room and moved to the Pine Room in January 2026.

With 18 years of experience in Early Learning and Care, I have worked across all age groups and held a variety of roles, including management.

I am Originally from Bray, Co. Wicklow and moved to Courtown in 2020. I currently hold a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Early Learning and Care, I am FAR and fire trained, and have also completed Child Safeguarding training.

Coming from a large family of eight children, and with many nieces and nephews, I have always had a strong connection to caring for children.
Working in childcare has been my passion from a very young age, and I cannot imagine myself in any other profession. I find great joy in watching children grow, helping them to reach their milestones, develop their independence, and see their unique personalities shine through.