ABC 0-2.5 Years Programme

About the programme

The Area-Based Childhood 0-2.5 Years Programme aims to provide an integrated programme of intervention and support for children, their parents and families from pre-birth to two years of age.

The Area-Based Childhood 0-2.5 Years Programme is the newest initiative within the Early Learning Initiative. The programme's main focus is a home visiting service to offer intervention and support for children, their parents and families. The programme aims to improve children's overall development through the empowerment of parents and is designed to focus on nutrition, health care, and overall child development.

The role of the ABC 0-2.5 Years Home Visitor

On a weekly basis, for up to an hour, families will be visited in their homes by our trained Home Visitors. As the child becomes older this may move to once a month. The Home Visitors work with the family to strengthen the parents’ skills and build self-esteem, to enable them to believe in their own capabilities and parenting skills. A weekly report is written by the Home Visitors to record the child’s development.

All Home Visitors are trained in early childhood education and the programme is free to all families within the Dublin Docklands and East Inner City.

Contact us:

If you would like further information or are interested in joining our ABC 0-2.5 Years Programme, please contact:

Grace Flynn (086)4666429 or email Grace.Flynn@ncirl.ie

Senior Coordinator Marion Byrne (086)4666466 or email: marion.byrne@ncirl.ie

Dublin Inner City Assistant Director Catriona Flood (086) 0296894 or email: Catriona.Flood@ncirl.ie

Parent Support - Community Groups

Parent and child groups go from strength to strength in the community with many groups running weekly and selected groups running as 6-8 week courses to provide group support at different locations.

Our Parent & child groups include storytelling and song time, parent & toddler playgroups, Mammy & baby fitness class focusing on post-natal exercise and movement, Read, Rattle & Roll baby group which promotes early literacy and communication, and Infant Massage courses. These take place at a variety of venues throughout the community, both North and South sides including libraries, primary care centres, homeless hubs and schools. Our aim is to provide a high-quality learning environment for children to learn through play and to provide a supportive network to parents. At certain times during the year, groups can enjoy Pop-Up Parenting sessions which have proven very popular and supportive. A theme is chosen and focused on for the session and parents can talk, listen to each other and hopefully gain more knowledge and handy tips while the children enjoy engaging in play. Empowering parents is our aim and supporting them in finding solutions and trying new methods to increase positive interactions and relationships. We strive to create a safe space for anyone attending our groups.

Throughout the summer months, children, parents and families are welcome to join our Summer Programme which consists of weekly events in NCI and out in the city with a different area of child development as the focus each week.