Ballymote based montessori Claire Barden Childcare has achieved the All-Ireland Business Foundation’s Highest Honour – The Award of Excellence.

The market leading childcare provider has been recognised by the national accrediting body for its outstanding contribution to early learning & school age childcare.

Business All-Star Accreditation is an independently verified standard mark for indigenous businesses, based on rigorous selection criteria. The Accreditation is overseen by the prestigious All-Ireland Business Foundation, whose adjudication panel is chaired by Dr Briga Hynes of the University of Limerick and Kieran Ring, CEO of the Global Institute of Logistics.

Reacting to the announcement company founder Claire Barden said: I was honoured to be presented with the Accreditation from the All Ireland Business Foundation. To achieve the highest honour, has exceeded my expectations. My heart and soul is placed into each day I work in my crèches and school age service. I aspire to work to the highest standards each day.

I am passionate about early learning and school age childcare and my company aims to provide the highest standards of care and education on a daily basis. Having received this Award of Excellence – the foundation’s highest honour – I feel I have been recognised for the love and care we give the children in our care as well as the love and dedication, determination and hard work that myself, my family & our fantastic team have put into my brand to lead the way in our sector.

“I am also welcoming the opportunity to network with other members of the AIBF tribe and build solid relationships, which can help my business expand. As I listen and learn about other tribe members’ experiences.”

Deputy Chair on the Adjudication Board Kieran Ring, said in support of the announcement: “Claire Barden Childcare has achieved the All-Ireland Business Foundation’s Highest Honour – it’s Award of Excellence. This Accolade is in recognition of the company’s outstanding contribution to early learning & school age childcare.”

“We wish to commend the company in the areas of trust, commitment, performance & customer centricity. Claire Barden award winning childcare is hereby included in The AIBF register of Irish Business Excellence For 2021.”

Managing Director of the All-Ireland Business Foundation Kapil Khanna said the Accreditation, which is now held by over 500 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards, but have nothing to measure them by.

He said: “We evaluate a company’s background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

Claire Barden Childcare is an award winning Montessori and childcare company based in Colooney and Ballymote, Co Sligo. Claire Barden provides care for 145 children in Ballymote in two premises, Learn Early Montessori Academy & Crèche & Claire Barden School Aged Childcare.

The All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF) is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class in Irish business.

The Foundation actively engages and supports its network through peer-dialogue, collaboration, mentoring and enterprise development activities. Companies are qualified for accreditation by completing an enterprise audit and are identified by their use of the AIBF’s Business All-Star Marque.

To learn more about Claire Barden Award Winning Childcare, visit their All-Star showcase page here.