Autumn Gardening Workshop for Childminders

What to Expect

Offaly County Childcare Committee is running a two-hour practical workshop for childminders on Saturday 15 August 2026, built around nature-based learning and how to use a garden or an outdoor corner as a teaching space. The session covers sensory play and how to use plants, insects, healthy food and sustainability as everyday topics with the children in your care, rather than treating gardening as a one-off summer activity.

It is a hands-on session, not a lecture. Participants plant seeds and build a mini bug hotel during the workshop, and all materials are provided, so there is nothing to bring or buy in advance. The bug hotel and the planted seeds go home with you as something to set up where you mind children. The workshop runs in person at the Offaly CCC training room on O’Connor Square in Tullamore, from 11am to 1pm. It is aimed specifically at childminders working in County Offaly. Places are booked through Eventbrite ahead of the day, and Jackie at Offaly County Childcare Committee is the contact for anyone with questions about eligibility or content, on 057 913 5878 or jacke@offalychildcare.com.

Good to Know

• Date: Saturday 15 August 2026, 11am to 1pm
• Venue: Offaly CCC Training Room, O’Connor Square, Tullamore, R35 Y7PO
• Format: in person, hands-on, two hours
• For childminders; all materials supplied
• Activities include seed planting and building a mini bug hotel
• Book in advance through Eventbrite
• Queries to Jackie at Offaly County Childcare Committee, 057 913 5878

Getting There

O’Connor Square is the main square in the centre of Tullamore, off Columcille Street and a short walk from Bridge Street and the Grand Canal harbour. Tullamore sits on the N52 and N80 and is signposted from the M6 at Kilbeggan and the M7 at Portlaoise. There is pay-and-display parking around the square itself, with larger car parks off Bridge Street and at the Bridge Centre a few minutes away on foot. Tullamore railway station is on the Dublin Heuston to Galway line, about a 15 minute walk from the square, and Bus Eireann services stop in the town centre.