Minister O’Gorman commends the dedication of early years educators and encourages them to avail of the opportunity to apply for the award-winning LINC Programme.

630 places available nationwide as LINC Programme set to open for applications

 The Leadership for Inclusion in the Early Years (LINC) Programme, a Level 6 Special Purpose Award (Higher Education), which is fully funded by the Department of Children Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) opens for applications on Monday 13th March 2023. The programme is designed to enhance and support children’s inclusion in the Early Years. Welcoming this announcement was Roderic O’Gorman TD, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

“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. The excellent work completed by the LINC team, and the dedication and commitment of early years educators in creating and fostering inclusive cultures within their services has been admirable. I am hugely appreciative of the extremely positive impact of the LINC programme and I encourage early years educators to avail of this opportunity.”

The LINC programme, established in 2016, is 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. It is part of a Government commitment to the provision of high-quality education and training for early years educators and was introduced as part of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) in 2016.

For the 2023/2024 academic year, the LINC Programme will be delivered entirely online, with 630 places available nationwide. This will provide an equal opportunity for students to avail of this training across Ireland.

Prof. Emer Ring, Dean of Education (Early Childhood and Teacher Education), Mary Immaculate College expressed her delight at the news of the LINC Programme’s extension, stating:

“We are delighted that the LINC programme has been extended for another year and look forward to welcoming our new cohort of students for the 2023/2024 year. At Mary Immaculate College, we are very proud of the success of the LINC programme and the positive response to the programme both nationally and indeed internationally. The success of the programme can be attributed to the committed, inspirational, and dedicated early childhood educators who from the start of programme in 2016 have joined us on the LINC journey and who have so successfully translated the LINC programme into practice every day in their settings. Our LINC graduates continue to transform the lives of children and families in creating inclusive environments where diversity becomes the norm and difference is celebrated.”

A sentiment echoed by, Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland who said,

“On behalf of Early Childhood Ireland, I am delighted to congratulate the LINC programme as applications open for the 2023/2024 academic year. The LINC team do fantastic work to support Early Years educators to lead and create inclusive settings, where all children are able to flourish and achieve their potential. It is a privilege to see the inspirational work of the LINC team and their award-winning programme which has made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of children and their families. On behalf of all my colleagues, I would like to wish all at LINC the very best over the next year. Their vision for children inspires us every day.”

Niamh Fortune, Head of Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education in Maynooth University supported the announcement stating:

“The Froebel Department in Maynooth University are delighted that the LINC programme has been extended for another year. This is such an important programme to support the inclusion of all children in the early years. It addresses the need for continuous professional development in the area of inclusion.”

Commenting on the opening of applications Shirley Heaney, LINC National Coordinator said: “As a member of the LINC Programme Team from its inception in 2016, I have had the pleasure of witnessing the outstanding enthusiasm from our sector for the LINC Programme, demonstrating their commitment to building an inclusive society where children can flourish. Our students and graduates play a vital role in supporting and advocating for the inclusion of all children in their settings, and through leading an inclusive culture, practice and pedagogy, they enrich the lives of children and their families daily. I am delighted that the LINC programme has been extended for another year, and look forward to working with the DCEDIY, the LINC Consortium and the LINC Team in the year ahead. On behalf of the LINC Team, we look forward to welcoming our new students this September.”

Since its commencement, the programme has had considerable success, winning the Best Online Learning Experience Award at the Education Awards in both 2017 and 2020, receiving a Highly Commended AONTAS STAR Award in the Social Inclusion Category in 2021, and being shortlisted for the Best Online Learning Experience, in the Education Awards again in 2023.

This September, early years educators will once again have the opportunity to participate in the programme which is fully-funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). Graduates of the programme can take up a leadership role of Inclusion Coordinator (INCO) in their setting.

The application deadline for the LINC Programme is Thursday April 6th 2023 and further information on how to apply can be found on www.lincprogramme.ie

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