Dear Service Provider,
AIM Expansion – go live and training information
The expansion of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) programme will enable children with additional needs to be supported and participate in Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings beyond the time spent in the ECCE programme, both in and out of term, as announced as part of Budget 2024.
Definitions
Below are the supports available to 38-week services for AIM Level 7 funding supports:
- AIM Standard: 3 hours of support during ECCE hours.
- AIM Plus: Additional 3 hours of support outside of ECCE hours, during ECCE term time.
- AIM Non-Term: 6 hours of support during ECCE non-term time.
Please note a child wishing to apply for AIM Plus and/or AIM Non-term must have an AIM Standard application submitted in an ELC setting (this can be a different service to where the child requires AIM plus or AIM non-term).
Application Process
This expansion will allow ELC settings to apply for up to an additional 3 hours of support per day outside of ECCE hours during ECCE term time and up to an additional 6 hours of support per day during non-term times for 38-week services
The process for completing AIM Plus and AIM Non-Term applications will be available on the Early Years Hive on Monday 2 September 2024.
Where a child wishes to avail of AIM Plus and/or AIM Non-term funding, the below criteria must be met:
- An ECCE and NCS contract and calendars for the relevant programme calls.
- An AIM standard application with an associated ECCE registration.
- A confirmed NCS claim for the corresponding hours and payment weeks.
NCS Requirements
For example:
- Where AIM Plus support is required for 3 hours per day from 9 September 2024 to 27 September 2024. The child must have a confirmed NCS claim for a minimum of 15 hours per week from 9 September 2024 to 27 September 2024.
- Where AIM Non-term is required for 6 hours per day from 14 July 2025 to 8 August 2025 a confirmed NCS claim for a minimum 30 hours per week from 14 July 2025 to 8 August 2025 is required.
Payment:
Applications submitted by 25 October 2024, which are approved, will be backdated to the latest date of the following:
- The AIM standard funding start date.
- The date support commenced (employment of additional employee).
- The date the NCS confirmed claim commences.
Training & Guides
Training sessions are being facilitated on Monday 2 September and Tuesday 3 September to service providers and the training will cover the following:
- Pre-requisites of the AIM Expansion
- AIM Terminology (Standard, Plus and Non-term)
- AIM Service Profile and Sessions
- System Training on the Application Types
Please see below the links to register with Go to Webinar.
AIM Expansion Session 1
Monday 2 September @ 9:30am – 11:00am
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2785482308494529627
AIM Expansion Session 2
Monday 2 September @ 6:30pm – 8:00pm
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4688651174267859802
AIM Expansion Session 3
Tuesday 3 September @ 2:30pm – 4:00pm
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2453251676022541911
A recording of the training will be made available on the Early Years Hive along with the PowerPoint slides once the training has been completed.
We kindly ask that questions asked on the day are kept to the topic of the AIM Expansion.
Help & Support
Should you have any queries in relation to the AIM programme, please contact the Early Years Provider Centre (EYPC) by raising a Request on the Early Years Hive using the following categories:
- Programme: (select the AIM level)
- Request type: Application.
- Request type detail: How To
Regards,
The Early Years Team
