Building an Inclusive Preschool for all

Several coordinated initiatives are underway in California to make access to high-quality preschool a reality for all California children. As this process moves forward, parents, inclusion specialists, and other advocates for children with special needs are an important source of expertise to ensure that preschool planning and implementation address barriers to inclusion of all children. Inclusion is not simply the presence of children with disabilities or special needs in preschool programs; rather, it is the full and active participation of children with disabilities or other special needs, along with typically developing children, in community activities, services, and programs, including preschool. If support, accommodations, or modifications are necessary to ensure full, active participation, they are provided appropriately. The degree to which preschool programs are successful in including children with special needs into their programs should be considered an important indicator of overall program quality.