Welcome to the LINC Programme website. The LINC Consortium is proud to offer two inclusive education programmes; the multi-award winning LINC Programme, and the LINC+ Programme for graduates of the Special Purpose Award. Find out more below.
The LINC Special Purpose Award is currently closed for applications. Offers are anticipated to be made to eligible applicants in June 2022.
Register for our Next Free Webinar
Investigating the meaningful participation and full inclusion of children who learn differently in Ireland through a multimodal lens.
Open to everyone, this Webinar will be of particular interest to all those working with children in Early Childhood, Early Childhood Teachers who work in the Early Years, Primary School Teachers, students studying on Early Childhood Care and Education and Primary School Teaching programmes; LINC Students and Graduates, along with those who work in the broader Early Childhood Sector.
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is an evidence-based, award-winning model for inclusion in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Dr Sophia Gowers was a member of the research consortium, led by The University of Derby, that was commissioned by the DECDIY to conduct the end-of-three-year evaluation of AIM. The evaluation sought the perspectives of key stakeholders including policy makers, practitioners, parents, and uniquely to a policy evaluation, young children themselves as key informants. Within this seminar, Sophia will explain her role in designing a multimodal case study approach to elicit young children’s perspectives on their full inclusion and meaningful participation in pre-school settings. This involved working in collaboration with Dr Lisha O’Sullivan (MIC) to recruit and train a group of Practitioner Researchers, all of whom were LINC graduates. Following training the Practitioner Researchers engaged as co-researchers in field work activities in pre-school settings across Ireland. Sophia will present an overview of the case study context ahead of vignettes which illustrate the use of multimodal map-based approaches by the Practitioner Researchers to capture young children’s experiences, engagements and perspectives. Each of the vignettes will highlight the voice of the child, drawing attention to their self-perception of inclusion and meaningful participation. In her discussion of the case study findings, Sophia will highlight the valuable role practitioners can play in promoting inclusion and the value young children placed in developing relationships with others. Sophia will conclude by considering the contribution that attending to multimodal communicative practices can make to listening to young children’s views and informing future policy and practice.
Register Now
The LINC Consortium Offers Two Inclusive Education Programmes
For people working in the Early Years in Ireland. Become an INclusion COordinator (INCO) with the LINC Programme.
For graduates of the LINC Programme (INCOs). Continue to learn with the LINC+ Programme.
The LINC Special Purpose Award

Become an INclusion COordinator (INCO) with the LINC Special Purpose Award
LINC is a free higher education fully online programme designed for early childhood teachers working in early learning and care, to promote the inclusion of all children. After completing the programme, graduates will carry out the role of Inclusion Coordinator.

Eligibility & Exemptions for the LINC Special Purpose Award
Settings with a pre-school room that is contracted for ECCE/TEC/CCSP can nominate an employee for LINC. The nominee must have a full Level 5 Award or higher in a relevant discipline. Some students may be eligible for exemptions from two modules.
The Role of the INclusion COordinator
Download or Print the Role of the INclusion COordinator
View or download our 2022/2023 LINC Programme brochure
2022 LINC BrochureView or download our LINC+ brochure
LINC+ BrochureLatest News and Events

The Outdoor Music Corridor
The Outdoor Music Corridor In this edition of the LINC Blog, LINC Graduate and LINC+ Participant Wendy Tully describes how one simple idea helped to foster social interaction between the children of her setting. “Music is a moral law. It gives...

Transitions: Home to Pre-school and Pre-school to Primary School
In this edition of the LINC blog, Ann Keating O'Neill, LINC Graduate and Owner/Manager of Shining Stars Preschool Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary, describes how she manages the two major transitions for children in her setting. I have always put a lot of...

The Muddy Puddle
The Muddy Puddle In this edition of the LINC Blog, setting manager Ellen Moore describes how one muddy puddle out the back of her setting became a focal point of fun for the children of her preschool. In the hustle and bustle of the early years it...

LINC Launches Exciting Free Webinar Series
LINC Launches Exciting Free Webinar Series The Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years (LINC) Programme is delighted to announce it will host a series of free webinars featuring International experts in Early Learning and Care. The first webinar in...
Awards and Accolades

Meet the Team

LINC Consortium
LINC is being offered by a consortium, led by Mary Immaculate College, and including Early Childhood Ireland and Maynooth University – The Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education.

Meet the Team
The LINC programme team is responsible for implementing LINC. It includes a National Director, Support Team, ICT Support, Educational Technologist and the Tutors that deliver the programme.
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By signing up to this newsletter you will receive information about: Updates on progression routes and CPD courses.
Useful tips on best practices within early years’ settings. News about conference and events that LINC maybe involved with. Stories about LINC graduates working within the field.
Early Years Sector news and policy updates.
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