This is a whole-service yearly planning and governance framework for mainstream early years settings supporting children with mild special educational needs (Mild SNE).
It is not a curriculum programme, not an intervention model, and not an individual education plan.
This framework exists to help services plan inclusive, proportionate support for Mild SNE within mainstream early years provision, while maintaining play-based practice, dignity, and participation.
What This Framework Is For
This framework supports early years services to:
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Plan inclusive provision for Mild SNE within mainstream settings
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Demonstrate intentional, organised support planning
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Maintain clarity around roles, routines, and review
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Support participation without labelling or segregation
It focuses on governance and planning, not categorisation.
What This Framework Covers
The framework provides structured yearly planning guidance across:
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Access, inclusion, and participation in play-based learning
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Daily routines, transitions, and predictability
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Communication, interaction, and engagement supports
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Environmental adjustments and visual structure
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Staff roles, supervision, and internal coordination
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Parent communication and partnership
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Review points and adaptive planning
All guidance is designed to be flexible and responsive, allowing educators to adjust support as confidence, participation, and independence grow.
What This Framework Is Not
This framework:
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Does not diagnose or label children
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Does not prescribe interventions or programmes
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Does not replace Aistear or Síolta
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Does not assess, track, or profile children
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Does not require individualised child plans
It supports planning around children, not control over them.
How Early Years Services Use This Framework
Services typically use this framework:
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As a yearly planning backbone for Mild SNE inclusion
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To support consistent practice across staff
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To ensure Mild SNE supports are visible, proportionate, and reviewable
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To provide clear planning evidence if requested
It is designed to sit alongside mainstream early years practice, not separate from it.
Applicability
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Mainstream Preschool / Early Years Services
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Suitable for sessional and full-day provision
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Appropriate for small and large settings
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Designed for mild and emerging needs within mainstream contexts
Format & Delivery
Legal / Use Notice
This resource supports governance, planning, and inclusive provision in early years settings.
It does not replace teaching, statutory obligations, or professional judgement.
Licensed for service use only. Redistribution outside the licensed service is not permitted.
No monitoring, reporting, benchmarking, or data retention is carried out by Samildanach Arts Ltd.
