Inclusive Early Childhood Education: What is it?

“Inclusion, as a value, supports the right of all children, regardless of their diverse abilities, to participate actively in natural settings within their communities.-Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Early Childhood’s position statement

• Inclusive early childhood programs are built upon a foundation of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and incorporate individualized approaches that benefit all children.
• Inclusive programs welcome ALL children, including children with disabilities, and provide opportunities for each child in the group to participate, learn, and truly belong.
• Staff considers the needs of all children when planning, implementing, and evaluating the program.

What does an inclusive early childhood education program look like?

• Early childhood educators are familiar with and use DAP as a framework to plan the environment and curriculum.
• Written program materials express a philosophy that welcomes all children and families.
• Program staff know about and understand laws that promote and support diversity, including the involvement of children with special needs and/or disabilities.
• The physical environment is accessible to all children and families. It supports children’s independence and involvement.
• Early childhood educators believe in and design activities and instruction that is individualized based on each child’s unique strengths and needs.
• There is administrative support for inclusion to work (written policies consistent with an inclusive philosophy, adequate staffing, training, equipment, planning time, and consultation as needed).
• Early childhood educators know about special education or early intervention resources and use these resources to develop learning activities that are developmentally appropriate and designed so every child succeeds.
• Program staff have a “can do” attitude and look for solutions to challenges.
• Families and educators collaborate and work toward mutual goals.

Why is inclusion important?

All children benefit by:

• Developing friendships and learning how to play with others.
• Learning acceptance, and to be sensitive to individual differences.
• Being provided with opportunities to learn from others with differing abilities.

Program staff benefit by:

• Building relationships with families.
• Learning about and developing partnerships with community resources.
• Communicating effectively with team members.

Families benefit by:

• Having access to quality child care.
• Watching their children make friends with children from diverse groups.
• Sharing hopes, needs, and concerns for their children with others.