Development of a Framework for Action
for the Inclusion of Special Needs Children in Early Childhood Education Settings
Awarded to: The Curriculum Development Unit, Mary Immaculate College Limerick in conjunction with Limerick City Childcare Committee Key researchers: Eucharia McCarthy and Mary Moloney
Introduction
The aim of this project is to design a Framework for Action for the development of practical strategies and interventions to ensure good practice in the inclusion of children with special educational needs in early childhood education settings.
The research literature of the last two decades provides significant evidence of the effectiveness of intensive early intervention for children with disabilities. Our commitment must be to finding the specific programme features which constitute appropriate provision and provide optimum outcomes for children with special needs and their families, tailored to meet the requirements of each individual child.
There are a considerable number of studies which show that inclusive settings have positive effects on children’s development of social skills. Current government policy supports the provision of education in integrated and inclusive environments, as opposed to specialised settings, unless it is not in the best interests of the child.
Based on the findings of a comprehensive literature review, a Framework for Action will be developed to provide practical strategies and professional tools to support the inclusion of children with special educational needs in early childhood education settings. The Framework will then be implemented in a number of identified settings and will be followed by an evaluation of the effectiveness of the project.
Project Aims
While in the first instance, the Framework for Action will provide support and tools for the DEIS Early Education Support Service, it will also be of value to a broad range of other professionals engaged in the development and delivery of early childhood education.
The project will focus on a variety of settings that provide inclusive care and education for children in the birth-to-four-age range. Specifically, the aims of the project are:
To identify and develop a model of good practice, distilled from national and international research, to support inclusion in early childhood education settings.
To specify and articulate a Framework for Action (including guidelines, practical tools and professional development activities) for the inclusion of children under four years of age with special educational needs in early childhood education settings.
To design and effect an intervention based on the rollout of the Framework for Action in a range of settings.
To evaluate the impact of the Framework for Action within settings from the perspective of a range of stakeholders, including practitioners and special needs support staff, parents and children.
Based on the evaluation, to refine and develop a Framework for Action that has application and relevance across a range of settings to be disseminated to the wider sector.
Project Outcomes
The project will support the work of the DEIS Early Education Support Service and other professionals in early childhood education by:
Conducting a comprehensive review of literature, distilling aspects of good practice for the inclusion of all children in early years settings.
Identifying and disseminating existing models of good practice in Irish early childhood education settings.
Developing a Framework for Action, which will practically support strategies towards the inclusion of children with special educational needs in early childhood education settings.
Implementing the Framework for Action across a range of diverse settings with a view to developing and enhancing quality practice. Such implementation will be facilitated and developed through an infrastructure of supports, including on-site support, training and mentoring, and resource allocation.
Evaluation of the successes and shortcomings of the Framework for Action from the perspectives of practitioners, parents and children.
Producing a final report and executive summary of the findings of the overall project, including the literature review, the implementation process and the revised Framework for Action to be disseminated to the wider early childhood sector.
Methodology
The realisation of this project will be dependent on the completion of a number of distinct but interrelated elements. Documentary desk-based research will form the first element of the project, distilling good practice in inclusion from a broad range of both national and international research.
This will inform the development of a Framework for Action to facilitate quality practice relating to the inclusion of children with special educational needs in early childhood education settings.
A sampling exercise will then identify a range of settings to be used as sites of intervention for implementing the Framework for Action in practice. This will involve supporting practitioners within settings through a range of measures, including coaching, mentoring and resource provision.
Evaluation of the project will take place throughout the intervention, assessing its impact on the experiences of children, practitioners and parents. This will be achieved through a range of methods, including interviews and observations, among others.
The final report and executive summary will incorporate all aspects of the project and include a Framework for Action that will have practical application for the wider early childhood education sector.
Site last updated:
5 February, 2012
Centre for Early Childhood Development & Education
Gate Lodge, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Tel: 00353 (0)1 8842110 Fax: 00353 (0)1 8842111
Email: early.childhood@spd.dcu.ie
