Preschool teachers’ attitudes and preparation in the implementation of inclusive education

The implementation of inclusive education depends on teachers’ attitudes towards children with special needs. In 2022, a kindergarten survey was carried out, which included the topic of inclusive education. A total of 918 teachers across Estonia participated in the survey. The study aimed to map preschool teachers’ attitudes towards children with special needs and inclusive education and determine how teachers evaluate their knowledge of implementing inclusive education. Kindergarten teachers tended to favour inclusion: they agreed they could include children with special needs in leisure and learning activities. However, they found difficulties mainly with children with behavioural problems and identified other difficult situations that arise with children with special needs in the mainstream group. Most teachers with a professional education said they had the knowledge and skills to deal with children with special needs. However, teachers without a professional education could not say the same.