Since the introduction of a new programme to support children with disabilities in Donegal to access pre-school education, Donegal County Childcare have been developing a range of information supports for parents and childcare providers to spread the word about what is available under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM).
As a result of a diverse and creative communications drive to promote the Access and Inclusion Model across the county, Donegal County Childcare is delighted with the positive response to the new initiative.
As well as delivering a range of information sessions around the county following the launch of the programme in June, DCCC has set up a dedicated information and resource section on their website www.donegalchildcare.com and disseminated support resources to Donegal’s 145 early childhood services. Media advertisements and press articles have been used to promote the model, as well as the use of DCCC’s social media outlets Facebook and Twitter.
DCCC’s latest developments include the creation of a motion-animated video to provide an overview of the 7 support levels of AIM, and the setting up an AIM Resource Library which is housed in the DCCC Office. This will enable early childhood staff undertaking training to borrow books and resources to support their studies. More information click onto the AIM Information Library.
As part of the AIM model, two training programmes are being facilitated to upskill the early childhood workforce to work with children with diverse needs.
Early childhood staff from all over Donegal are currently undertaking a one year LINC (Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years) Programme in LYIT. This training equips participants with the knowledge, understanding and competencies to support the participation of children with additional needs in the early childhood setting. Following graduation in June 2017, over 60 early childhood settings in the county will have fully qualified Inclusion Coordinators as part of the staff team.
In addition, interest has been high regarding a 15-hour Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Programme facilitated by Donegal County Childcare. This programme aims to help participants explore a wide variety of challenges that can inhibit or prevent services operating in a fully inclusive manner. If you are interested in participating on the next DEI programme, click on the AIM Training Schedule for details of the next programme.
Avril McMonagle, Manager of Donegal County Childcare, is delighted with the positive start that AIM has experienced in Donegal. She says ‘in 6 short months, the early childhood workforce in Donegal have eagerly embraced the various components of the programme. We are particularly delighted with the high level of interest in training and upskilling – the appetite of early childhood educators to continue to improve their knowledge and skills to work with young children is highly commendable’.
Pictured below are the first set of early childhood educators to successfully complete the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion course delivered in November-December 2016, with DCCC facilitators Louise Toner and Donna Kenny.
To see all the developments click here aim-developments
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