Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years (LINC)

Key Features

The development of the programme is part of a government response to local, national and international demands for high quality education and training leading towards graduate pathways in the combined field of early childhood care and education (ECCE). The programme seeks to address the need for continuing professional development (CPD) in relation to the inclusion of all children.

The programme is delivered through a blended model designed to meet the learning needs of our students. Each module includes 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 various locations throughout Ireland. Students also receive a mentoring visit in their setting from a LINC Tutor. The purpose of this visit is to support students in applying the concepts and theories from the LINC Programme to their daily practice, with a focus on developing an inclusive culture, practice, and pedagogy.

The LINC Programme is a Multi-Award Winning Programme:

• In 2017, it was awarded an Education Award in the Best Online Learning Experience Category.
• In 2018, it received the prestigious Jennifer Burke Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning.
• In 2019, it was awarded an Education Award for Student Communication and Engagement.
• In 2020, it was once again voted the Best Online Learning Experience at the Education Awards.
• In 2022, it received a Highly Commended Award from Aontas for its work in the area of social inclusion.
• In 2023, it was shortlisted in the Best Online Learning Experience category at the Education Awards.
• In 2024, it was shortlisted in the Best Marketing and Communications Team, Best Online Learning Experience and Best Research Project categories at the Education Awards.
• In 2025, it was once again shortlisted in the Best Marketing and Communications Team, Best Online Learning Experience and Best Research Project categories at the Education Awards.

Early Learning and Care Settings that register an Inclusion CoOrdinator (INCO) who has graduated from LINC will receive an extra €2 per week in capitation per ECCE-eligible child in a pre-school room, where the child is on an ECCE/CCSP/TEC programme. Subject to detailed operational guidelines, the increase applies from a) graduation of the Inclusion Coordinator from the higher education programme and b) completion of a signed agreement by the Inclusion Coordinator that they will take on the roles and responsibilities associated with the post. 

The additional €2 capitation applies to all children in the setting.

Aims & Objectives

• To equip participants with the knowledge, understanding, skills, and competencies to support the participation of all children in early years settings.
• To prepare participants to take on a leadership role within early years settings, enabling them to support and guide other staff in planning for, implementing, and reviewing inclusive practice.
• To support participants in developing their professional knowledge, understanding, and skills across the interrelated areas of the programme modules, with a particular focus on embedding inclusive practice within Aistear – The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework and Síolta, the National Quality Framework.
• To enhance participants’ study skills and digital competence, enabling them to effectively engage with all aspects of the blended learning programme.

For more information, see the dedicated LINC website here.