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

Pictured ahead of the recent LINC Programme Virtual Graduation was Eithne Enright from Kilmallock, Co limerick an Early Childhood Teacher at Nead na nÓg Preschool with some of the children at the ELC setting,

Speaking ahead of a Virtual Graduation Ceremony, which took place at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) today (20 November) and celebrated the graduation of 585 LINC Programme students, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman T.D., said that: “The LINC Programme has been a key contributor to the success of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) in supporting the inclusion of children with disabilities in the ECCE programme.”

“I would like to congratulate all 585 graduates from the LINC programme. I am hugely appreciative of the excellent work of the LINC consortium team, led by Mary Immaculate College, and of the commitment of early learning and care practitioners in fostering an inclusive culture in their services.

The impact of the LINC programme since its inception has been extremely positive and I encourage all early years practitioners to avail of this opportunity.”

The ceremony, which was held virtually due to the current surge in Covid-19 cases, saw the fifth cohort of students graduate from the Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years (LINC) programme. This year, 585 students from 26 counties and 22 countries were conferred in absentia with a Level 6 Special Purpose Award. They joined a community of 3,504 graduates, conferred since 2016.

LINC, established in 2016, is a higher education, fully-online programme designed to enhance the inclusion of children with additional needs in early learning and care settings through the development of the role of Inclusion Coordinator.

The programme, offered by a consortium led by Mary Immaculate College and including Early Childhood Ireland and Maynooth University – Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, is part of a Government commitment to the provision of high quality education and training in the field of early childhood care and education and was introduced as part of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) in 2016.

Pictured ahead of the recent LINC Programme Virtual Graduation was Maeve Daly, from limerick, an Early Childhood Teacher at Happy Times Preschool

Commenting on the LINC graduation, Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland said: “On behalf of Early Childhood Ireland, I am delighted to congratulate the students graduating today from the LINC programme. A massive 585 students are graduating today, and there are students from each of our 26 counties. The achievement of today’s graduation class cannot be overstated- these students accessed their entire programme online due to Covid restrictions. Their achievement is fantastic and they can be very proud of their success. Today’s graduates will enter a new chapter of their careers as leaders in inclusion in their early years setting and we in Early Childhood Ireland wish each and every one all the very best for the future.”

A sentiment echoed by Associate Professor Niamh Fortune, Head of the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Maynooth University who commented that “the LINC programme offers an invaluable opportunity for early childhood educators to engage in high quality professional development which has the potential to transform their practice in the area of inclusive and special education and develop capacity for leadership within early childhood settings for the future”.

Also offering congratulations was Shirley Heaney, National Coordinator of the LINC Programme who added: “I would like to commend each graduate for your dedication and perseverance in completing the LINC Programme in these challenging and unprecedented times. As Inclusion Coordinators, I know that you will play a vital role in supporting and advocating for the inclusion of all children within the Early Learning and Care sector. Through leading an inclusive culture, practice and pedagogy in your settings you will enrich the lives of children and their families. On behalf of myself and the entire LINC team congratulations on your achievement!”   

A number of award winners were recognised for their remarkable achievements over the course of the ceremony including Niamh Whelan from Wicklow Town, who was awarded a College Gold Medal for achieving first place on the programme. Also receiving an award was Sonya Curren, Kilmessan, Co. Meath who won the Early Childhood Ireland Best LINC Portfolio Award.

Pictured ahead of the recent LINC Programme Virtual Graduation was Maria Florencia Caunedo Ampudia, from Dublin who won an award for having the best portfolio in her cohort.

The following graduates received an award for having the best portfolio in their group: Maria Florencia Canuedo Ampudia (Dublin), Lorraine Hackett (Tipperary), Theresa Lynch (Cavan), Laoise McDonagh (Kildare), Adelaide O’Connor (Limerick), Anne Whelan (Waterford), and Sonya Curren (Meath).

Earlier this year, the LINC programme received a Highly Commended STAR Award. The STAR Awards are organised by the national adult learning organisation, AONTAS, as part of its annual Adult Learners’ Festival. They recognise and celebrate the achievements of adult learning projects throughout Ireland. The programme has twice been the recipient of the Best Online Learning Experience Award at the Education Awards; these awards encourage and celebrate excellence in the third level education sector on the island of Ireland.

The LINC programme is free of charge to participants and employers, and is funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Early learning and care settings with an ECCE contract can nominate an employee for LINC and the nominee must have a full Level 5 Award or higher in a relevant discipline.

Further information on the LINC Programme can be found at www.lincprogramme.ie.

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