The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure all children can access quality early childhood care and education. Its goal is to empower early years providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every child can participate meaningfully in the ECCE Programme.
AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the pre-school service. For many children, the universal supports offered under the model will be sufficient. For others, one particular discrete support may be required to enable participation in the ECCE Programme, such as access to a piece of specialised equipment. For a small number, a suite of different services and supports may be necessary. In other words, the model is designed to be responsive to the needs of each individual child in the context of their pre-school setting. It offers tailored, practical supports based on need and does not require a formal diagnosis of disability.
