Challenges of Inclusive Preschool Education in Croatia

The aim of this paper is to analyze the implementation of inclusive practice in the system of preschool education. This paper will analyze the implementation of inclusive practices based on monitoring of the Office of the... [ view full abstract ]

The aim of this paper is to analyze the implementation of inclusive practice in the system of preschool education. This paper will analyze the implementation of inclusive practices based on monitoring of the Office of the Ombudsman for Children of the exercise of the rights of children with disabilities at preschool education. The largest number of complaints of violations of children's rights refers to the impossibility of enrollment of children with disabilities in kindergarten, the impossibility of providing support of assistants in kindergarten and shortening the duration of stay of a child in kindergarten because of insufficient support of assistants. By comparing data on the realization of children's rights with disabilities to preschool education in the period from 2014 to 2016, this paper will address current trends of Croatian inclusive practices and make recommendations to increase the quality of inclusion of children with disabilities in preschool education programs.

Key words: inclusive preschool education, inclusive practice; quality of education; children with disabilities.