Early education in particular adopts a holistic approach to young children’s learning which responds to each child’s changing developmental needs and values a child’s prior knowledge from home.

Centres have the scope to reflect the individuality of their communities and to respond by providing unique, high quality learning experiences for all their children.

From the outset, young children are partners in the learning process, actively participating in the planning, shaping and directing of their own learning.  With sensitive adult support they will learn how to make good, informed choices and take responsibility for their own learning.

The early level serves a number of purposes.  For most children it provides a framework for their work in pre-school years and Primary 1.  For some young people with additional support needs, the early level provides a framework for learning and progression for much or all of their time in school.