Blog | Leadership for Inclusion, LINC Programme

Learning from LINC – Using Song Choice Boards

In this edition of the LINC blog, current student Carrie O'Connor Byrne describes how putting a lesson learned on the LINC Programme into practice has benefited the children in her setting. Throughout the first module, Inclusion in Early Years Settings, I...

Propelling Early Learning and Development through High Quality Home Learning Activities

The recently published First Five: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028 underscores the substantial contribution of the home learning environment (HLE) to children's learning and development1. This aligns with...

Setting Focus: Happy Tots Montessori

In this edition of LINC blog, programme graduate Caroline Lohan describes how reflective practice techniques learned on the LINC programme have created a better learning environment for all children in her setting. My name is Caroline Lohan and I am an early...

Getting Winter-Ready – Tips for Outdoor Activity

In this edition of LINC blog, programme tutor Edel Fenlon outlines some handy tips to ensure the children in your care are outdoor activity ready this winter season. As we prepare ourselves for winter, what does this mean for the early childhood teachers...

LINC Programme shortlisted for four Education Awards

Having previously won the award for Best Online Learning Experience in 2017, and been shortlisted for the same accolade in 2018, the LINC Programme has once again received a nomination for an Education Award. This year the programme has been nominated under four award...

Transitions: Home to Pre-school and Pre-school to Primary School

In this week's blog, Ann Keating O'Neill, Owner/Manager of Shining Stars Preschool Lisronagh, Co. Tipperary and LINC graduate, describes how she manages the two major transitions for children in her setting. I have always put a lot of thought into the...

The Benefits of Board Games as Gifts for Children at Christmas

In this edition of the LINC blog, programme tutor and board game enthusiast Margaret Joyce, outlines why she feels board games are a worthwhile purchase for the little ones in your life this Christmas. It’s the time of year when Santa is busy preparing...

Tips from Module One: Using Visual Aids

In this edition of the LINC blog, programme tutor Claire Butterly revisits a lesson from module one, highlighting some nice examples of visual aids she has observed in the field. Throughout Module 1, Inclusion in the Early Years: Concepts and Strategies,...

The LINC Mentoring Visit: A Tutor’s Perspective

In this week's blog, LINC tutor Bernie Connell describes how she approaches each mentoring visit, giving an example of a recent visit she made to Nadine's service. “A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and...

LINC programme graduates have the “opportunity to make a very positive impact on the lives of children”

Over 850 students from 28 counties presented with multi-award winning Special Purpose Award “Now that you have come through the LINC programme, you have the opportunity to make a very positive impact, both individually and collectively, on all those working...

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Fun not Fear at Halloween

In this weeks LINC blog, tutor Margaret Joyce outlines some handy tips to ensure that Halloween is a fun, rather than fearful experience for young children. Halloween is generally a time associated with dressing up, fun, games and ‘scary monsters’. Many...

The LINC Mentoring Visit: A Guide for Students and Managers

In the latest edition of the LINC blog, programme tutor Claire Butterly outlines the purpose, procedure and practicalities around the upcoming mentoring visits for students and their services. The mentoring visits play a key role in the LINC programme....

Embracing Blended Learning: Addressing Students ICT Learning Apprehensions

In this edition of the LINC blog, programme tutor Paula Harte describes her information technology learning journey, and how, as a new academic year begins, her personal experiences have helped her and her students to adapt to an online learning environment. ...

Real Life Reflections: The Children’s Referendum

In this week's blog, Helen Comerford, Owner/Manager of Alanna Playschool, Tirmoghan, Donadea, Co. Kildare, and LINC graduate, describes how real life events in May 2018 inspired the children in her setting to hold their own children's referendum. My name...

My LINC Journey: Philomena’s Story

Philomena Weldon, an early years practitioner with over 35 years’ experience and Owner/Manager of Phil’s Montessori in Clonlyon, Kilcock, County Meath reflects on her journey through LINC and the impact it has had on her service. Each year we endeavour...

Hair or Care…a Job to a Career

In this edition of the LINC blog, programme graduate Hazel O'Connor recounts her career journey and the people who influenced her along the way. Many moons ago, not long after leaving school, I found myself standing outside the door of my local FÁS...

The Sky is the Limit, Turning I “can’t” into “I can”.

Brenda Jordan from Little People Playgroup in Castleknock shares one of her learning experiences from the LINC programme and the difference it made one little boy's life. Even after 22 years in childcare, I am always looking for new learning. Inclusion...

How to write a Curriculum Statement in Five Easy Steps

In the latest LINC programme blog, LINC Tutor Claire Butterly outlines five steps to writing a Curriculum Statement for your service. This blog will guide you through the process of developing a curriculum statement. While curriculum statements were...

Setting Focus: The Montessori Circle, Clontarf

In this edition of the LINC blog, Veronica Yeomans, programme graduate and Owner/Manager of the Montessori Circle in Clontarf in Dublin, describes her LINC experience and how—by tweaking your environment—you can help children come through their problems and feel more...

Have you seen Mr X? Planning an Activity around a Child’s Current Interests

In this edition of the LINC programme blog, Jennie Buchanan, an early childhood teacher and LINC programme participant, discusses moving towards a more child-led curriculum and the benefits of planning activities around a child's current interests. My...

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My LINC Journey: Melanie’s Story

In this week's blog, Melanie Flanagan Tierney from Early Days Montessori Playgroup in Kilmeague, Naas, Co. Kildare, and LINC programme graduate, describes how LINC gave her the confidence to continue her adult education journey after the programme had ended. ...

Supporting Children’s Transition to an Early Childhood Setting

In our latest blog, LINC Programme Researcher and former LINC Programme Tutor, Sarah Kelleher, gives some handy tips on how to support children and their parents* as they transition to an early childhood setting. As the Summer draws to a close, we start...

Learning from the field: Addressing a child’s anxiety through play

The LINC team had the pleasure of speaking with Louise Commane, the owner/manager of Harmony Montessori in Shannon, and LINC 2017 graduate, about her experience using play techniques to help alleviate children’s anxiety in her setting. It is evident from...

Working in Partnership with Children: The Quiet Room

In this week's blog, Therese O'Brien, Owner/Manager of the Early Years Pre-School in Gravelstown, Kells, Co Meath and LINC graduate, describes how working in partnership with children has helped her best utilise the space in her setting. At the start of...

LINC Programme Seeks Expert Quality Assurance Review

After two successful years in operation, with positive feedback from both students and employers, the LINC programme is seeking to engage an international expert as part of its review process. A PDF download of this document can be found here. LINC Programme:...

My LINC Journey: Ann’s Story

Ann McDonagh Owner/Manager of Bright Beginnings in Oughterard, Co. Galway and LINC programme participant this year reflects on her journey through LINC as she submits her final assignment for the programme. Working on my Portfolio in Module 6 of the LINC...

LINC programme wins award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

The Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years (LINC) programme has won the prestigious Jennifer Burke Award—an annual accolade which recognises and rewards innovative practice in the areas of teaching and learning. The LINC Programme is a one-year, Level 6 Special...

Learning from the field

by Sharon Skehill, LINC programme tutor. As LINC tutor for the past two years, I have had the pleasure of visiting over 200 settings to date as part of my mentoring role on the programme. I have seen wonderful examples of positive practice and committed early years’...

International Play Conference comes to MIC Limerick

REVOLUTIONISING PLAY: PERSPECTIVES; POSSIBILITIES AND PROMISE ATHBHEOCHAN AN TSÚGARTHA: DEARCADH; FÉIDEARTHACHTAÍ AGUS DÓCHAS Research continues to highlight the significant contribution of play-based practice to children’s learning and development....

Setting Focus: Mega Kids

Mary Helen O’Brien, a childcare professional with over 20 years’ experience and owner/manager of the Mega Kids Childcare facility in Murroe, Co Limerick, took some time out to tell us about her LINC Programme Experience Mary started the business in 1998, working from...

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