KHETAUN (TOGETHER): With Key Steps to Inclusion of Romani Children into Quality Early Childhood Programs

The project is based on various research supported results, that quality early childhood education and the inclusion of children from disadvantaged groups in high-quality preschool programs is one of the key protective factors that predict success of children in further education as well as later. Because of specific of target population and the complexity of the Roma issue, educators must be equipped with special tools and strategies that enable them to successfully integrate Romani children in their classrooms.

The aim of our project is: on the basis of past experiences of partner organizations, to develop a comprehensive model that includes both work with children, parents and the local community and help raise awareness among educators of their implicit theories, which are often an obstacle to the successful implementation of innovations.

The target groups in our project are administrators and professionals in preschools (preschool teachers, counselors etc.), Romani parents and children, representatives of the Romani community, representatives of local organizations and other members of the local community.

Activities in the project will be based on the implementation of four different courses, which will cover four key pillars necessary for the successful integration of Romani children in preschools and the development of linguistic, cultural and developmentally appropriate multilingual materials for children. Trainings will be primarily carried out on an international level, and later they will be implemented by partner organizations at the national level for preschools and other key persons directly involved in the implementation of the project. At the national level, partner organizations will monitor progress of project implementation through regular monthly monitoring.

Among others, the project will create guidelines for policy makers at the national and European level, which will open up possibilities for dialogue and systematically address the issue of integration of Romani children in preschool education.

PARTNERS

Leading organisation

Developmental Research Center for Pedagogical Initiatives Step by Step at the Educational research Institute, Slovenia

Partners

Center for Education Initiatives, Latvia

Škola dokorán – wide open school n.o.

Člověk v tísni, Czech Republic

DURATION OF THE PROJECT

1. 10. 2015 – 30. 9. 2017