Access and Inclusion Model for ECCE
The Better Start, 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. Its goal is to empower service providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can fully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early years care and education.
AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the service provider. 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 pre-school, 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 will offer tailored, practical supports based on need and will not require a formal diagnosis of disability.
Communication from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), June 2021:
We are happy to share the re-design of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) website: www.aim.gov.ie. The website was designed with accessibility in mind, with feedback from parents, providers, agencies and other departments. On the AIM website, parents and pre-school providers can access up to date information on the AIM programme, the supports offered and how to apply.
Please contact our office if you have any further questions or the Early Years Specialist Service (Access and Inclusion) are available to be contacted and can be contacted on 01 5117222.
Please view the website as detailed above, which is the dedicated website for AIM and will keep you updated on the relevant dates from which you can apply for the different elements of the 7 levels.
Clare County Childcare Committee delivers Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Training under this model for childcare services - please contact our office for further information on this.
End of Year One Review:
https://aim.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/aim-end-of-year-one-review.pdf
LINC Programme
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 all children 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.
Website:
LINC + Programme
The LINC+ Programme was launched in March 2021. It was created to enable graduates of the LINC Programme to benefit from regular professional support and development, through additional training, networking and development of communities of practice. The programme is fully-funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and is delivered completely online.
Website:
