Child Protection and Welfare

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The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. Access & Inclusion Model (AIM) is a child-centered model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the pre-school service.

For many children, the universal supports offered under the model will be sufficient. For others, one particular discrete support may be required to enable participation in the ECCE Programme, such as access to a piece of specialised equipment. For a small number, a suite of different services and supports may be necessary. In other words, the model is designed to be responsive to the needs of each individual child in the context of their pre-school setting. It offers tailored, practical supports based on need and does not require a formal diagnosis of disability. Further information relating to Access & Inclusion Model (AIM) can be found here.

Visit: https://aim.gov.ie/

Access & Inclusion Model (AIM)

The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. Access & Inclusion Model (AIM) is a child-centered model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the pre-school service.

For many children, the universal supports offered under the model will be sufficient. For others, one particular discrete support may be required to enable participation in the ECCE Programme, such as access to a piece of specialised equipment. For a small number, a suite of different services and supports may be necessary. In other words, the model is designed to be responsive to the needs of each individual child in the context of their pre-school setting. It offers tailored, practical supports based on need and does not require a formal diagnosis of disability. Further information relating to Access & Inclusion Model (AIM) can be found here.

Visit: https://aim.gov.ie/

Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE)

The Free Pre-School year in the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) is a universal childcare programme designed to give children access to up to 2 years of free pre-school education before they start primary school .

The ECCE programme is a universal programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and the programme year runs from September to June.

The point of entry to the programme is September. Childcare services taking part in the ECCE scheme provide an appropriate pre-school educational programme which adheres to the principles of Síolta and Aistear, the national frameworks for early years care and education.

You can access the ECCE Calculator here to determine if your child is eligible for the 2 year programme.

Visit: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2459ee-early-childhood-care-and-education-programme-ecce/

The National Childcare Scheme

The National Childcare Scheme is a pathway to truly accessible, affordable, quality childcare. From October 2019 it replaced all previous targeted childcare programmes with a single, streamlined and user-friendly Scheme to help parents meet the cost of quality childcare.

Supports are available for families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years who are attending any participating Tusla-registered childcare service, including any Tusla-registered childminder.

If you are a parent looking for more information on the National Childcare Scheme, click on the link here. Applications for the National Childcare Scheme opened in October 2019. To apply for the Scheme online, you will need to have a verified MyGovID. Your verified MyGovID is your single, secure account to unlock Irish Government Services online here.

Visit: https://www.ncs.gov.ie/en/

LINC Programme 2023/2024

The Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years programme, LINC, is a Level 6 Special Purpose Award (Higher Education), that is designed to support the inclusion of children with additional needs in the early years. The course is offered for free to people working within early years education and is fully funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth . Once qualified, graduates will perform the role of Inclusion Coordinator within their early years setting.

The development of the programme is part of a government response to local, national and international demands for high quality education and training leading towards graduate pathways in the combined field of early childhood care and education (ECCE). The programme seeks to address the need for continuing professional development (CPD) in relation to the inclusion of children with additional needs.

Further Information can be found on their website here.

2023/2024 LINC PROGRAMME

LINC+ CPD brochure

Tusla QRF E-Learning Programme

Tusla’s Quality and Regulatory Framework eLearning programme was developed following consultation with the early years sector in relation to the supports identified to support compliance with the Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.

The aim of this programme is to;

Assist registered providers and staff of early years services to prepare for a Tusla early years inspection.
Support early years professionals to meet the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and the Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2016.

This eLearning programme may be used as a resource by other professionals in the early years sector; it identifies what quality early years provision looks like in practice and as such may also be of interest to parents and guardians.

You may find the E Learning homepage here.

First5

The DCEDIY has launched a new webpage where you will find free, online CPD resources, developed and made available through the cooperation of a number of agencies. The resources are designed to support service planning and practitioners’ professional development. Further free, online CPD resources will be added to the web-page over the coming days and weeks.

The webpage includes templates for recording CPD activities carried out, to support services to demonstrate compliance with the requirement of the DCEDIY Temporary Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme that services should engage, where possible, in training and CPD during the closure period.

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