The Inclusion of Children with a Disability in Child Care: The Influence of Experience, Training and Attitudes of Childcare Staff

Abstract

Seventy-seven directors of childcare centres and 77 childcare staff were surveyed about their training to work with children with a disability, experience with these children, attitudes to disability, inclusive practices and barriers to inclusion. General support was expressed for the inclusion of children with a disability in child care, especially if the disability was mild. Some disabilities, e.g. speech and language problems, were viewed more favourably than others, e.g. acquired brain damage. Training for working with children who have a disability was associated with positive attitudes toward people with a disability. Directors currently including children with a disability in their program had significantly more training and experience with such children than other directors, although there was no difference in attitude to disability. Training and experience appeared to increase feelings of control over the provision of services for children with a disability.