Early Learning Initiative

The Early Learning Initiative (ELI) at National College of Ireland was developed to address the problem of educational underachievement in marginalised communities. Building upon tried and tested models of early years’ intervention, it is our mission to work with communities in areas of greatest need, to provide world-class parent and child learning support programmes.

Member Q&A

What is your goal? 

Working in partnership with local communities to support educational journeys and achievements. 

How have you been working towards it? 

By providing first-class educational support programmes within local communities, thereby enabling children, young people and their families to develop the dispositions, skills and knowledge needed to achieve their educational, career and life goals. 

How has being a member of The Wheel helped? 

Connectedness to the wider community and voluntary sector. 

How can people support you? 

Funding through philanthropy, grants, trusts and foundations. Corporate partnerships and volunteering welcome. 

Do you have any success stories to share? 

Through our Home Visiting programmes work with over 400 disadvantaged parents and their young children at various sites in Dublin and Ballinasloe, Limerick City and Dundalk. Home Visitors visit the families once per week (in person or virtually) bringing high quality educational toys and books as gifts and showing parents how to be their child's first and best teacher. All Home Visitors are local women, many early school leavers themselves, who are specially trained to journey with families as they gain the skills to succeed at school, career and life. Indeed a growing number of former parents from the programme have now also joined the team as Home Visitors themselves.  Many children referred to us have learning and developmental delays.  One family who we have engaged through our home visiting programme told us that their three year old child had just said their first words after a visit from ELI's Home Visitor, he told his mam 'I Love You.' 

Where can people find you on social media? 

Facebook: Early Learning Initiative   

Twitter: @ELI_Docklands     

Instagram: @earlylearninginitiative    

LinkedIn: Early Learning Initiative