Towards creating inclusive environments for LGBTIQ-parented families in early childhood education and care settings: A review of the literature

Abstract

With Australia’s overwhelming ‘Yes’ vote on marriage equality in November 2017, the need for early childhood educators to ensure that understandings of ‘family’ reflected in early childhood education and care settings include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) parents and their children, is further reinforced. Here, a review of recent literature is framed by an ecological systems approach in order to identify key influences on the lived experiences of LGBTIQ parents and their children in the context of early learning centres. Attention is drawn to the need for further research that identifies how best to equip early childhood educators to ensure that all children and their families feel a sense of belonging and representation in their early childhood education settings.