test The influence of social context factors on the inclusion of refugee children in kindergarten. Preschool teachers’ perceptions |Preschool and Primary Education

The influence of social context factors on the inclusion of refugee children in kindergarten. Preschool teachers’ perceptions

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Published: Nov 26, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/ppej.40428
Keywords:
social context factors inclusion kindergarten teachers pre-school education refugee-biography children
Χατζησωτηρίου Χριστίνα
Βασιλική Σ. Φωτοπούλου
Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών
Συμελίδου Ελένη Μεταξένια
Abstract

The attendance of children with refugee backgrounds in kindergarten is directly linked to inclusion processes within the school context. However, these processes are often interrupted or hindered by various challenges. The challenges include the influence of social context factors at the preschool education level, where their interrelation has not been adequately researched, and there is a notable lack of targeted studies on this issue. Our research focuses on exploring the social context factors affecting children with refugee backgrounds, primarily examining their interactions with significant others—such as educators, peers, and parents—from the perspective of the educators themselves. Our sample consists of early childhood educators working in public educational institutions, including Reception Facilities for Refugee Education (DYEP) in Kos. For data collection, we employed a qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews. The analysis of the research material highlights various challenges, mainly related to communication among educators, parents, and peers. However, these challenges are often overcome through educators' personal commitment to taking initiatives and their genuine interest in supporting the children. This study aims to contribute empirically to the examination of social context factors in preschool education, with the goal of enhancing the inclusion of children with refugee backgrounds and fostering inclusive environments in kindergartens.

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