Preschool Pedagogy and Factors Affecting Inclusive Education: Views of Greek Kindergarten Teachers

It is now an indisputable fact that Kindergarten holds a central role among all levels of education and the social skills acquired by the person during the preschool period are important as they determine the type of relationships with their peers, but also their overall development until they reach adulthood. However, the request remains for the kindergarten to be transformed into a place that will ensure the equal participation of all children in the educational process and the acceptance of their diversity. In the context of this research, which was carried out during the school year 2023-2024, the opinions of kindergarten teachers (N: 240) of the Regional Unit of Epirus were investigated, regarding the factors that affect the co-education of all students in the general school. Inclusive education includes a set of strategies, practices, perspectives and options that allow children with typical and non-typical development to be included in the general kindergarten classroom. The research data showed the need for the general school to be properly organized and for the teachers to work in the context of a dynamic collaboration among themselves, in order to determine the strategies, practices, appropriate conditions and teaching content.