AIM Programme Ireland — Supporting Children with Additional Needs in Preschool

What AIM Provides

AIM was launched in 2016 and is managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). It has since supported tens of thousands of children in ECCE settings across Ireland.

Supports are arranged across seven levels, from universal supports available to all ECCE settings, through to intensive individual supports for children with the most complex needs.

The Seven Levels of AIM Support

Universal Supports (Levels 1–3)

Available to all ECCE settings, regardless of whether any specific child has additional needs:

• Level 1 — Inclusion Coordinator (LINC): preschools employ a graduate of the LINC (Leadership for INClusion) programme and receive increased capitation funding.
• Levels 2 & 3 — Access to inclusion resources, online learning, and guidance to help settings become more inclusive.

Targeted Supports (Levels 4–7)

Applied for on behalf of individual children (by the provider, with parental consent):

• Level 4 — Expert advice and mentoring from Early Years Specialists.
• Level 5 — Capital grants for specialist equipment, assistive technology, or minor building alterations.
• Level 6 — Therapeutic supports where required.
• Level 7— Additional capitation funding where this is critical to ensuring the child's meaningful participation in ECCE.
• Level 7 Plus — Additional support of up to 3 hours per day outside of ECCE hours.
• Level 7 Non-Term — Up to 6 hours per day during non-term periods for children with the highest support needs.

Who Is Eligible?

AIM is available for children who are enrolled in an ECCE programme and have disabilities or additional needs that affect their ability to participate. No formal diagnosis is required. Supports are allocated based on a needs assessment, not a clinical label.

AIM applies during the ECCE programme years only. It does not currently extend to non-ECCE childcare, though Level 7 Plus and Non-Term supports can cover hours outside the standard ECCE session.

How to Apply

1. Speak to your child's preschool provider— AIM applications are submitted by the preschool, not the parent. Raise your child's needs with the service manager or LINC coordinator.
2. Provide consent — The provider applies via the Early Years Hive portal with your written consent.
3. Apply early — Pobal recommends applying at least 3 months beforeyour child's planned ECCE start date to allow time for assessment and support allocation.
4. Assessment and allocation — A Pobal Early Years Specialist may visit the setting to assess needs and recommend the appropriate level of support.

Pobal contact for AIM enquiries: 01 511 7222 / onlinesupport@pobal.ie

Official Resources

• AIM Programme — aim.gov.ie (official portal, resources, and application guidance)
• AIM at Pobal — pobal.ie
• AIM Rules 2025/26 (PDF) — aim.gov.ie

Frequently Asked Questions