about our early intervention classes
Children who attend the Shine Early Intervention classes will engage in both one to one work, paired work and group work during their school day. The focus is always on the individual learning needs of each child and to enhance communication and social development by providing a consistent programme of early education and intervention for a full academic year. Lots of time for fun and relaxation too in our soft-play room, sensory room and outdoor play area.
The first Shine Early Intervention class opened in 2005 to meet the pre-school educational needs of autistic children. The Early Intervention classes expanded rapidly and in 2007 we moved to a new bright premises in Carrigaline just outside Cork city. The Early Intervention classes work with pre school aged children aged between 3 and 5 years. There are 3 classes of 6 students with 4 fully qualified staff for each class group and children attend for 20 hours per week. (5 x 4 hour sessions).Children who attend the Shine Early Intervention classes will engage in one to one work and group work during their school day. The focus is always on the learning needs of each individual child. The children will spend time in the Sensory room and there is also lots of time for fun and play in the Soft Playroom area and outdoor play area.
Facilities:
The Shine Early Intervention Classes are located at the Shine Centre on in Carrigaline. The building is bright and well equipped with large classrooms, a sensory room, a soft playroom, sensory garden and outdoor play area. At Shine we take security very seriously and the building has an external and internal keypad entry system and integrated security camera system.
Applications for the Academic Year from September 2025 – July 2026:
The Shine Early Intervention Classes operate as a Group Tuition Service per the terms of the Home Tuition Grant Scheme funded by the Department of Education & Skills. If a child is unable to secure a place in a Dept of Education Early Intervention Class that child should be entitled to the Home Tuition Grant and can join the Shine Early Intervention Group Scheme. Please read the qualifying criteria below to ensure that your child is eligible to apply for a place. Please feel free to contact us and we will explain the Home Tuition application process to you.
Qualifying Criteria:
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Children must be 3 or 4 years of age on or before 1st September, 2025.
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The child must not currently have an offer of an Early Intervention placement in another School/Early Intervention Setting.
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The child must have a confirmed diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) from an accepted diagnostic source (Multi Disciplinary Report, Private Psychologist Report).
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Your child must be able to attend the Shine Early Intervention Service for 4 hours per day/5 days a week (Mon – Fri). The Transport Grant is not available to children attending a HT Group Scheme Service.
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Your child’s SENO (Special Educational Needs Officer) must sanction the Home Tuition Grant application. The SENO may look for evidence of rejected applications to other Early Intervention Classes as part of this process.
Please download and complete the Registration of Interest form below and return it to us along with a copy of your child’s diagnostic report by email or post.
To download 2025/26 Registration of Interest Form please click on the link below and attach a copy of the child’s diagnostic report if available:
You can download the Application Form from the tab above this section.
Once completed, please email the Registration Form to: school@shineireland.com
Or
Send the Registration Form by post to:
The Manager, The Shine Centre, 7 Weston View, Ballinrea Road, Carrigaline, Co Cork P43 E392
Teaching Methodology
Key development areas are not solely academic. Some children will benefit immediately from academic based learning but a lot of autistic children have to “learn how to learn”. Difficulties with communication skills, anxiety and self management of emotions can often get in the way of the child’s ability to learn. It is vital that these areas are addressed, setting the foundations for learning.
The Key Development Areas:
• Academic Development
• Behavioural support
• Communication
• Self Management skills
• Coping Skills
• Transitioning
• Self Care Skills – (Toileting)
• Development of Fine & Gross Motor Skills
An IEP (Individual Educational Plan) is devised for each child early in the academic year. The IEP is constantly monitored and will be modified and augmented at stages throughout the year to reflect the child’s progress.
Key Components of our Teaching & Learning Methodology:
PECS: This is an augmentative communication system for children and adults with limited or no speech. It is widely used with autistic children as a means of communication; it teaches functional communication allowing the user to communicate their wants and needs and reduces frustration. It can be used in all settings, at home, school and when transitioning from one place to another. Advanced language concepts can also be taught using PECS. It uses positive reinforcement and prompting strategies to teach the children how to use the system independently.
TEACCH: This is a teaching method that manipulates the environment to encourage learning and develop independent skills. This is done using visual supports, it is well known for its flexibility and its ability to support each individual child. This works well for autistic children as many are visual learners.
ABA: This is a science that is applied to improve socially significant behaviour. It uses positive reinforcement only as a tool to build skills, reduce behaviour that may be challenging and encourages positive learning. It aims to make meaningful improvements in behaviour and can show how those improvements came about, through the collection, graphing and analysis of data.
Lamh: This is a sign system used by those with learning and communication difficulties. It allows them to see as well as hear what is being communicated as speech is always used in conjunction with signs. It can help those who have limited and unclear speech to communicate with others. It encourages eye-contact and can give children confidence to try new words.
Social Stories: These are stories that describe a situation, event or skill that the reader needs help with. They are designed to give the reader social cues, perspective and common responses to those situations. This information is given in a reassuring manner that is easily understood by the reader.
our early intervention class ethos
Encompassing a well-rounded education in all areas of development in the child:
• Communication
• Cognitive and Academic
• Play & Social Skills
• Physical development
• Self-Help Skills
We promote a caring enthusiastic learning environment in partnership with home, family and other professionals and we strive to develop the following qualities in our students:
• Acceptance of Difference
• Respect
• Confidence
• Patience
• Gentleness
• Motivation
• Independence
what our parents say
Our daughter spent two years in Shine. She loved it because her teachers are amazing. Would highly recommend Shine to any new parent facing a diagnosis of autism for their child. It was our first port of call when our daughter was diagnosed and they gave us so much information on things we needed to do both for our daughter and for our family.
A McSweeney
Shine were invaluable in helping & guiding us through what to do and how best to help support our son. He has absolutely blossomed being in his Early Intervention Class and he loves going to school every day. Each and every person within in the early intervention classes are incredible and are at the top of their game. It sounds corny but they do help my son and all the other kids SHINE! They genuinely care about the kids, they make them smile, they want them to be their best possible self and they help us as parents see the amazing little people that they are & can be.
N O’Connell
The Shine Centre have been a lifeline to our family over the last two years. They have given us tremendous support and guidance and have helped us through some really difficult times. The Shine Early Intervention Classes are a happy fun and safe environment and my daughter loves going to school every morning. She is surrounded by highly qualified people who are enthusiastic about helping her to reach her full potential. They really care about our children and I am forever grateful for everything that Shine have done for my family.
