“It Would be Harder Without Faith”: An Exploratory Study of Low-Income Families’ Experiences of Early Childhood Inclusive Education in New Zealand

Abstract

New Zealand has a reputation for having one of the most inclusive education systems in the world. However, research and anecdotal evidence show that many parents of young children with disabilities have difficulties accessing intervention and health-care services and may be less satisfied when they do receive services. In addition, though a plethora of research has been done on inclusive education, little attention has been given by researchers to low-income parents’ perspectives on early childhood inclusion in New Zealand. This paper draws on findings from a qualitative study on 30 parents’ experiences of early childhood inclusive education in New Zealand. Parents participating in this study came from different religious backgrounds, represented diverse ethnicities, all had at least one child who had a diagnosis of disabilities and/or chronical illness, and met the low-income criteria of New Zealand. Results showed that though the majority of the families appreciated the flexible time and structures of the early childhood programs their children attended, parents were concerned about the lack of intervention services for their children. In addition, these low-income families reported that they had limited access to early interventions and resources. The findings also highlight the importance of the use of positive coping methods (e.g., maintaining a positive outlook and seeking social support), and the role faith plays in family life.