
Bringing Story-Telling to Life
Bringing Story-Telling to Life In this edition of the LINC Blog, LINC student Louise Viti describes how story-telling in her setting has supported children's social interaction, play experiences and imagination. Think back to your own childhood...

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...

Minister urges staff in Early Learning and Care settings to avail of free, award-winning inclusion programme
Minister urges staff in Early Learning and Care settings to avail of free, award-winning inclusion programme 660 places available nationwide as LINC Programme set to open for applications The Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINC)...

The Magic of Story-Time
The Magic of Story-Time In this edition of the LINC blog, LINC Researcher Dr Linda Kelly discusses some of the findings of her PHD Research, and how story-telling is an opportunity for adults to encourage language development in young children. ...

New Beginnings and Continuing my LINC+ Journey
New Beginnings and Continuing My LINC+ Journey In this edition of the LINC blog, LINC Graduate and owner of Ulla Beag Preschool, Denise Sheridan reflects on her experience as she progresses through the Packages of the LINC+ CPD Programme. Yesterday I...

Winter at Wise Owls
Winter at Wise Owls In this edition of the LINC blog, LINC Graduates Michelle Donohoe and Dorothy Dempsey and the team at Wise Owls Montessori in Coolkenno, Tullow, Co Wicklow, embrace the concept of Hegge in their Montessori preschool. Embracing...

Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Development – Preview of Package 3 of LINC+
Supporting Children's Social and Emotional Development - Preview of Package 3 of LINC+ In this edition of the LINC blog, CPD tutor Claire Butterly outlines what is in store for participants of package three of the LINC+ CPD Programme - Supporting Children’s...

Reflecting on Your Curriculum Statement
Reflecting on Your Curriculum Statement In this edition of the LINC blog, Lisa Flaherty, a preschool teacher at Newtown Kids’ Club, recently reviewed their curriculum statement in light of reflections on changes and developments made during the pandemic as well as her...

Minister hails “extremely positive impact” of LINC Programme as close to 600 graduate from inclusion programme
Minister hails “extremely positive impact” of LINC Programme as close to 600 graduate from inclusion programme Graduates from across Ireland conferred at virtual graduation ceremony Speaking ahead of a Virtual Graduation Ceremony, which took place...

2021 LINC Graduation Ceremony to Take Place Virtually
2021 LINC Graduation Ceremony to Take Place Virtually The in-person Graduation Ceremony planned for Saturday, 20 November, has had to be cancelled due to the current Covid-19 situation. It was with deep regret that the difficult decision was...

Leading Inclusion – Beverton Pre-School Wins LINC Award
Leading Inclusion – Beverton Pre-School Wins LINC Award The award was sponsored by the LINC Programme as part of the Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) National Awards, which took place virtually on the 8th of October 2021. The 8th of October was a...

Free Webinar to Focus on Understanding Mental Health Stigma
Free Webinar to Focus on Understanding Mental Health Stigma The webinar will be held in conjunction with See Change, Ireland’s organisation dedicated to ending mental health stigma. The LINC Programme team in conjunction with See Change and MIC...

Leading Early Childhood Experts Collaborate on New Online Programme to Build Strong and Effective Partnerships with Parents
Leading Early Childhood Experts Collaborate on New Online Programme to Build Strong and Effective Partnerships with Parents. The Parental Engagement and Relationships (PEAR) Programme, designed and developed for Early Childhood Teachers, is a collaboration...

Finding Community
In this edition of the LINC blog, graduate Denise Sheridan talks about her outdoor ethos, her education journey, and how the LINC+ programme has helped her to find her voice as a valued member of the early years community. In 2010 I set up Úlla Beag, an...

Supporting Transitions from the Home to the Early Learning and Care Setting – Advice and Best Practice
In this edition of the LINC Programme blog we examine how early childhood teachers can ensure a smooth transition for children as they embark on their education journey. As we welcome children and families back to our Early Learning and Care (ELC) Settings this...

Our Voices in Practice are Important – Lets Keep Talking!
Our Voices in Practice are Important – Lets Keep Talking! Using Action Research in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) Setting to support with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic In this edition of the LINC Blog, managing director and early childhood...

Creating a Sensory Space
Creating a Sensory Space In this edition of the LINC blog, tutors Claire Butterly, Karina Abbott, Ann Donnellan, Carole Dee, Linda Madden, Margaret Joyce and Paula Harte highlight some considerations when planning a sensory space in your Early Learning and Care...

Exciting Professional Opportunity for Early Learning and Care (ELC) Practitioners (LINC graduates)
Exciting Professional Opportunity for Early Learning and Care (ELC) Practitioners (LINC graduates) A research consortium, led by the University of Derby, is recruiting approximately 16 Practitioner Researchers (PRs) to participate in the ‘End of Year Three Evaluation...

Minister praises over 800 LINC Programme graduates for commitment to inclusive culture which ‘will have a wider impact in society as a whole’.
Minister praises over 800 LINC Programme graduates for commitment to inclusive culture which ‘will have a wider impact in society as a whole’. Remarkable Achievements of LINC Graduates Recognised at Virtual Ceremony Speaking ahead of a Virtual Ceremony...

Bringing the hug button to life in Bambi’s
In this edition of the LINC blog, current student María Florencia Caunedo Ampudia from Bambi's Pre-school in Greenpark Dublin, tells of her success at implementing Dr Mary O'Kane's "hug button" strategy. Going back to pre-school after a long break can be...

AONTAS Recognises the Work of the LINC Programme and its Graduates with a Highly Commended Award
AONTAS Recognises the Work of the LINC Programme and its Graduates with a Highly Commended Award The LINC Programme was highly commended through the AONTAS STAR Awards this week in the category for initiatives that support social inclusion. The...

LINC Consortium takes the lead again as it launches exciting new Continuing Professional Development Programme for over 3,000 graduates.
LINC Consortium takes the lead again as it launches exciting new Continuing Professional Development Programme for over 3,000 graduates. Thousands of Inclusion Coordinators (INCOs) across Ireland will be offered an opportunity to further expand their knowledge...

Looking after Children’s Well-Being During a Pandemic.
In this edition of our blog, Teaching Fellow in Early Childhood Education in the Department of Reflective Pedagogy & Early Childhood Studies, MIC Limerick, Mai Burke-Hayes, outlines some tips for looking after children's well-being during a pandemic. ...

Self-Care this Valentine’s Day
In this edition of our blog, LINC Tutor Claire Butterly reminds us that while Valentine's Day is often celebrated as a time to demonstrate your love for others, it can also be a time for self-reflection. As Early Childhood Teachers, many of you...

LINC Programme Shortlisted for AONTAS STAR Award 2021
LINC Programme Shortlisted for Aontas Award 2021The LINC (Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years) Adult Education Programme has been shortlisted for an AONTAS STAR Award in the 'Adult Learning Initiatives that Promote Social Inclusion' category. The STAR Awards...

Early Childhood Expert Appointed as National Coordinator of the LINC Programme
Early Childhood Expert Appointed as National Coordinator of the LINC Programme The LINC Consortium is Delighted to Announce the Appointment of Shirley Heaney as the National Coordinator of the LINC Programme.Early childhood expert and newly appointed National...

A Positive Opportunity: Covid-19 and Outdoor Play
In this edition of our blog, LINC tutor Carole Dee describes how her team created a positive experience for the children of their setting despite the challenges of Covid-19 . While I am passionate about the value of outdoor learning, making the shift to...