Advancing Inclusion in Early Years: Lessons from Cross-Border Collaboration and the ASPIRE Programme
Delivered by: Zoe Kernohan-Neely (Head of Pedagogy and Professional Development, Early Years – the organisation for young children) and Michelle Hart (CEO, National Childhood Network).
This workshop will explore key insights and outcomes from the cross-border Sharing from the Start programme and introduce the ASPIRE programme’s first-year achievements. It will highlight the importance of bridging theory and practice to enhance inclusion and belonging in early years settings, drawing on lessons learned from the Sharing from the Start programme (2017–2022). Participants will discover how early years providers across Ireland and Northern Ireland can integrate the principles of inclusion through the frameworks of Aistear, Síolta, the Equality and Diversity Charter, Empowering Improvement: A New Framework for Inspection, and the Mainstreaming Shared Education Strategy (N.I.) to promote inclusive, high-quality educational experiences.
The ASPIRE programme, launched in 2025, is designed to support high-quality, inclusive preschool education, particularly for children at risk of educational disadvantage. Attendees will engage in discussions about best practices for embedding inclusive policies and strategies within early years environments, gaining practical guidance, actionable examples, and opportunities to reflect on how to make inclusion a reality for all children.
Zoe Kernohan-Neely is Head of Pedagogy and Professional Development with Early Years – the organisation for young children. Zoe is from an education background, spending much of her teaching career in early years including Principal of Infant and Nursery schools and has an interest in ensuring quality provision for all children.
Zoe provides pedagogical input and strategic support across practice and programme teams throughout the organisation including the Aspire programme.
Zoe also works with local, national and international projects for Early Years pedagogical and systems advancement. Zoe is passionate about improving the life opportunities for children and families through ensuring quality early years education and care.
Michelle Hart is the CEO of the National Childhood Network. Michelle has over thirty years’ experience working in the early years profession and has been with the National Childhood Network for over 23 years in various roles.
Her leadership focuses on improving children’s health, well-being, learning, and development and on peace and reconciliation outcomes across the island of Ireland and beyond by supporting educators, parents, communities and the International Network on Peace Building with Young Children.
Through policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and innovative programme development, Michelle works to ensure that every child receives the best start in life. Michelle is particularly passionate about promoting children’s rights, inclusion, the arts and play-based learning.