“We sought to contribute to the paucity of research on inclusion and belonging in early childhood contexts by exploring the perspectives of teachers and family members in a mixed methods case study in one inclusive early childhood program in the United States. Thematic analysis of teacher survey responses and family focus group transcripts revealed four themes regarding how educators and families perceived and experienced inclusion and belonging in the center. Themes related to accessibility, services and supports for children with disabilities, systems-level supports for educators, and feelings of connection, community, and care. Implications and recommendations are examined in the context of larger discussions about inclusion, exclusion of children through differential access to high quality early childhood education, and equitable approaches to supporting all young children, their families, and the teachers working in early childhood programs.”
