Bomany Nursery &. Montessori School owner Patricia Fitzpatrick has much to be proud of as she hands over the reins of her business.
After 27 years, Patricia has left an indelible mark on the local childcare community.
Most of all, she’s proud of the hundreds of children that came through her doors.
Patricia considered all the little ones in her care as ‘her children’.
The nursery is located outside Patricia’s own home. So for many parents, it felt like they were dropping their precious babies off with a relative or neighbour.
After 27 busy years, including a year of home dialysis and a kidney transplant – the time has come for Patricia to retire and sell the nursery along with her home. While the same great staff team will stay in place, Patricia’s positive influence will remain in many ways.
Bomany Nursery and Montessori started with Patricia alone, and has since grown to a staff force of 15 working on a part time and full time basis.
Patricia with staff at Bomany Nursery & Montessori School
“I thoroughly enjoyed my career,” Patricia tells Donegal Daily.
“We’ve done a lot of things over the years in childcare. We’ve had very good children and we have lovely parents who are always cooperative and helpful.
“I am so proud of my children I see after and what they have gone on to do.”
Patricia is particularly proud of the close ties she has formed with her dedicated staff, some of whom have been with her for as long as 23 years. A bonus for her is that they are staying on with the new owners.
On Thursday evening, Patricia was surprised with a farewell do and some very special visitors, including the very first child she took care of – Letterkenny woman Eimear Wiseman who is now in her thirties.
Patricia with Eimear Wiseman and the most recent child at Bomany Nursery
“I was overwhelmed by the whole lot of it,” Patricia said.
“I don’t know how to act or react to retirement, it’s going to be very emotional the day I’m leaving here.”
Patricia will spend a few weeks helping the new owners acclimatise to the business before leaving in earnest.
Caring was always in Patricia’s nature. A native of Newmills, Patricia (neé Kelly) was the eldest of a family of 18 children and loved helping out at home.
“My mother and father were great parents. I got my ethos of working, my love of childcare and my ability to work in childcare from my mother and father because that is where we started off.”
With four children herself, Patricia began to do childcare courses in the 1990s when she and her husband Ollie moved to Donegal from Dublin and their youngest started school.
The creche began in the Fitzpatrick home before they built the school in their own yard. Several expansions later and it now has capacity for 62 children plus 14 after-school children.
Patricia credits the great support she received throughout the 27 years from her friends in the childcare community, including her mentor Maureen Walsh at Errigal Montessori and the Donegal County Childcare Committee, of which Patricia is a member of the Board of Management.
In the background, Patricia’s husband Ollie was there as a constant support, a behind-the-scenes maintenance man and a motivator.
“I couldn’t have done it without him,” Patricia says.
The evolving childcare sector has presented many challenges to managers and staff, from battles for core funding to navigating the increasing burden of paperwork.
A defining personal moment for Patricia was her kidney transplant, which she considers a blessing rather than a challenge.
Patricia, who has a rare genetic defect, was fortunate to receive a living donor transplant in 2017.
“I was lucky that it was kidney problems that I had and I could have home dialysis for 10 months before the transplant, it was easy to marry with my career and I continued working,” she said.
Retirement will be a significant change for Patricia, but she is looking forward to spending time with Ollie, their children and 12 grandchildren and pursuing her own interests which will include “doing whatever I like”!
The future of childcare may be changing, but Patricia’s hope is that more enter the sector and get the support and recognition they deserve.
“We are very important to the child, we respect and love them and want them to be happy here, to have fun and to learn,” she said.
“I think all childcare workers should be proud of the job they are doing in Early Years Education because we have a very important role.”
The Bomany Nursery and Montessori School staff wish both Patricia and Ollie a wonderful retirement.
They commented that Patricia’s dedication and hard work over 27 years have been instrumental in the growth and success of Bomany Nursery and Montessori School. Despite facing challenges like new regulations, the COVID-19 pandemic, and maintaining a work force, she consistently demonstrated professionalism and commitment to supporting children, families, and staff.
“Patricia worked hands-on within the setting and would never have expected staff to do a task that she would not do herself. Patricia always has the best interest of the children at heart and has helped to educate and nurture so many children over her 27 years in business,” the team said.
“For many families over the years, she offered support, guidance and a wealth of knowledge as they came through Bomany.
“For many she was both a carer, teacher, doctor and always a confidential ear to come to with any issues.
“We the staff wish to thank her for everything over the years that she has done for us all.
“She will be missed by us all and we wish the new owners a very warm welcome onboard as they take over.
“We are proud to say Patrica is not only our boss but also our friend.
“Enjoy every minute of your well deserved retirement.”