Blended Model of Delivery
Fully Funded by the DCDE and Free to Participate
Extra Capitation for Settings
Who can apply?
- 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 Learning & Care Setting, in accordance with the DCDE’s Early Years Recognised Qualification Listing which can be viewed here.
- Settings that already have a LINC graduate can nominate another employee from their settings to complete LINC this year, based on the criteria outlined below. Only one application allowed per eligible setting.
- Random selection of eligible applicants will apply. Priority will be given to eligible applications in the following order:
- Settings that do not currently employ a LINC Graduate / registered INCO.
- Settings that have a LINC Graduate / registered INCO and are an Equal Start setting.
- Settings that have a LINC Graduate / registered INCO and have less than 22 ECCE eligible children.
- All other settings
*As registered with Pobal in September 2025.
Did you know...
Did you know, if you have an Inclusion Coordinator (INCO) or LINC Graduate working in your setting, you can still submit an application for another staff member to engage in the LINC Programme this coming January. Once your application is submitted, we will contact you if we require further information.
Did you know, Graduates of the LINC Programme are eligible for Lead Educator status.
Exemptions
Applicants with qualifications at an equivalent or higher level to the programme (Level 6 completed within the last 5 years and Level 7/8 within the last 10 years) may seek an exemption from the Child Development module. This is the only module in which you can apply for an exemption. When applying for an exemption from this module, applicants must demonstrate that they have successfully met the learning outcomes for the module, and decisions will be made on a case by case basis.
Students can only apply for an exemption after they have commenced the LINC Programme. Full details of the exemption process will be outlined at orientation.