Any ECCE contracted setting can nominate an employee or a manager to apply for the LINC Programme. The setting manager can nominate themselves or any member of the setting’s staff.

To be eligible to apply for the LINC Programme, Applicants must have the minimum qualifications to work in an Early ...

Unfortunately, it is not possible to defer an offer of a place. If you are not in a position to take up a place this year, you should reject the offer and you may re-apply next year, providing you are eligible to do so.

Any ECCE contracted setting can nominate an employee or a manager to apply for the LINC Programme. The setting manager can nominate themselves or any member of the setting’s staff.
To be eligible to apply for the LINC Programme, Applicants must have the minimum qualifications to work in an ...

A manager may nominate any employee to participate in the LINC Programme once they hold the minimum qualification required to work in an Early Learning and Care (ELC) setting, in accordance with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE)’s Early Years Recognised Qualification list. It should be noted, however, ...

The programme is delivered through a blended model designed to meet the learning needs of our students. Each module consists of three recorded lessons per week, which students can access at any time, a weekly online tutorial, and one in-person Saturday class per module held at the following locations: Westmeath, ...

Applications must be submitted by 2pm on Monday 24th November 2025.

Yes, you must be employed in an Early Learning & Care Setting.

You will be asked to submit your highest relevant early childhood education and care qualification and the name of the last education institute attended. This needs to be uploaded in either a PDF, jpeg or jpg file format. 

Successful applicants will be advised by email of the offer of a place. If the offer is not accepted by the deadline, the offer is forfeited and the place is offered to another applicant.

All applications must be completed online via the “Apply Now” page here.

You will need the following information in order to complete an application on behalf of your setting:
Step 1: You will be asked to create an account in order to access the application system. As part ...

No, unfortunately applicants must be employed by the setting.

Yes, they can.

Only one application can be submitted per setting per academic year.

We hope to make offers to eligible applicants in December 2025. Further details will be emailed to individuals and their employers at that point.