Useful Links and Information

This page features key documents, links and resources for AIM.

City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs)

City and County Childcare Committees, or CCCs for short, are a Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth funded support for parents and childcare providers. CCCs can offer assistance with finding a suitable pre-school for your child, give advice and information about various schemes and programmes on offer. CCCs also provide training for both parents and childcare workers.

To find your local CCC visit myccc.ie.

Information On Disability Supports

Below are links to websites where you can find quality information about supporting children with disabilities accessing pre-school and beyond. You will also find information on schemes and grants specifically for disabilities.

• National Disability Authority 
• National Council for Special Education
• HSE advice for supporting children with disabilities 

Further Information On Disability, Childcare and Education

Below are some links where you can find fantastic information on disability, childcare and education.

• HSE information on childcare options and schemes for your pre-school age child
• Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
• Pobal: Information on how Pobal administers AIM
• Better Start: National Early Years Quality Development Service
• Aistear Siolta – Valuable information of the curriculum and quality frameworks for early childhood education

Information on CPD for Providers

Inclusion Coordinator Training (LINC) – www.lincprogramme.ie

Continuing professional development resources for practitioners

Sensory Processing E-Learning (SPEL)- SPEL Sign up Link

Hanen Teacher Talk- Hanen.org

Lámh Manual Sign Language System- Lamh.org

*Hanen, Lamh and SPEL are managed on behalf of the department by Better Start, more information can be found at: www.betterstart.ie/for-elc/learning-and-development/.

AIM Policy and Rules

• AIM Policy and Rules 2022/2023 (PDF)

AIM Supports Documents

Universal- Supporting Inclusion

• Role of the Inclusion Coordinator (PDF)
• Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Charter and Guidelines for Early Childhood Care & Education (PDF)

Targeted- Early Years Specialist Support

• My Inclusion Plan September 2021 (English version) (Irish version)
• Informed Consent (PDF)
• AIM Privacy Statement 2022 (PDF)
• Access and Inclusion Profile and Guidance document (PDF)
• Access and Inclusion Profile Rationale (PDF)

Targeted-Equipment, Appliances and Minor Alterations

• Capital Information (PDF)
• Sample List of Eligible Equipment (PDF)
• Capital Checklist (PDF)
• Capital-Sample Application Form (PDF)
• Capital Recommendation Template to be completed by NCSE Visiting Teacher (PDF)
• AIM Capital Form for HSE and HSE funded Professional’s (PDF)
• Informed Consent (PDF)

Targeted- Additional Capitation

• Additional Assistance Information (PDF)

Universal Design Guidelines (UDG) Documents

• Universal Design Guidelines for ELC Settings – Introduction
• Universal Design Guidelines for ELC Settings Section 1 – Site Location, Approach and Design
• Universal Design Guidelines for ELC Settings Section 2 – Entering and Moving about the Early Learning and Care Setting
• Universal Design Guidelines for ELC Settings Section 3 – Key Internal and External Spaces
• Universal Design Guidelines for ELC Settings Section 4 – Elements and Systems
• Universal Design Guidelines for ELC Settings – Self Audit Tool for ELC Settings
• Universal Design Guidelines for ELC Settings – Appendices, Case Studies and Design Brief
• Universal Design Guidelines for ELC Settings – Literature Review