Short Description

High-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) is recognized as a foundation for successful lifelong learning, bringing not only specific developmental benefits to children but also compensating, to a degree, for other factors relating to disadvantage (Frawley, 2014). Prejudices, discrimination and negative attitudes towards children with intellectual disabilities are also among the key issues on the entire spectrum of barriers to access such quality education. Therefore, the overall objective of the EMBRACE project is to contribute to the enhancement of the quality of early childhood education and care and promote the inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities.

The specific objectives are:

• To develop inclusive values and attitudes among ECEC staff and strengthen their knowledge and capacities to accommodate the needs of children with intellectual disabilities.
• To equip ECEC staff and leaders with the needed tools, resources and knowledge to foster a culture of inclusion through collaborating with colleagues, children, parents and community members.
•  To raise awareness among children, parents and the general public on the importance of inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities in ECEC.
• To increase the visibility of children with intellectual disabilities, deconstruct stereotypes and fight discrimination through overcoming barriers to early years education.

Project Coordinator

Project Partners