AIM Better Start

Better Start is a Quality Development initiative of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, collaborating with the Early Years Education Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills (DES) and works to establish a cohesive approach to quality across the Early Learning and Care (ELC) sector in Ireland. Better Start is hosted by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

There are three strands of Better Start:

• The Quality Development (Mentoring) Service to enhance quality of practice in early years settings
• Supporting Access and Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in ECCE (AIM)
• Coordination, cohesion and consistency of quality supports

Better Start delivers State-funded supports, including:

• professional mentoring and coaching,
• continuing professional development
• expert early learning and care advice