We operate two eager and able-to-learn programmes for 2–3-year-olds. One is based at our Early Childhood Centre in Crumlin, and the second in St MacNissi’s primary school in Newtownabbey. Sleepy Hollow staff have undertaken training in the Eager and Able to Learn programme via Early Years – the organisation for young children in Northern Ireland. (click here to visit their website)

The Eager and Able to Learn (EAL) programme was designed by Early Years – the organisation for young children in Northern Ireland, and is targeted at 2–3-year-old children in early years settings. It aims to improve young children’s eagerness and ability to learn by enhancing their physical, social, emotional, and linguistic development. The programme places a particular emphasis on physical movement, the physical design of early childhood programme settings, and on relationships – the practitioner/child relationship, the parent/child relationship and the partnership between the parent and the practitioner – to support young children’s development. The theory of change underpinning the programme is that movement provides a natural context for children of this age to develop. The programme has a group-based element, which involves a series of developmental movement and play activities, and a home-based element, including home visits, which encourages parents to explore play activities with their children in the home environment.

Please click here if you would like any further information about our eager and able to learn programmes