INCLUSION IN DAYCARE CENTERS: SUCCESSFUL AND EFFICIENT

The goal of inclusion is to enable social, discrimination-free participation as well as self-determined and barrier-free development. It involves changing systems and structures towards a needs-based and differentiated range of services. With the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, society, and thus daycare centers, are legally obligated to ensure participation for all. Inclusive pedagogy and its conceptual implementation require appropriately qualified educational professionals for daycare centers, as well as an attitude where no one is excluded, and differences are recognized and valued as enrichment. The Child and Youth Strengthening Act also includes, among other principles, the joint promotion of children with and without disabilities, and the consideration of the special needs of children with (potential) disabilities.

As part of the project "Inclusion in Daycare Centers: Successful and Efficient," the implementation of the legal inclusion mandate in daycare centers is being examined through the structural integration of special education teachers (HeilpädagogInnen) into the educational teams. The project investigates the effects of multidisciplinary teams on the professional competencies of staff and the support processes. Different perspectives from stakeholders in the field are gathered through surveys and focus groups. Based on the research findings, recommendations for the implementation of inclusion in daycare centers will be derived.