EMBRACE addressed the call priority “2021, Round 1”. The overall objective of EMBRACE was to contribute to the enhancement of the quality of early childhood education and care and promote the inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities. In order to reach its overall objective, the project set the following more specific objectives: •To develop inclusive values and attitudes among ECEC staff and strengthen their knowledge and capacities to accommodate the needs of children with intellectual disabilities.•To equip ECEC staff and leaders with the needed tools, resources and knowledge to foster a culture of inclusion through collaborating with colleagues, children, parents and community members. •To raise awareness among children, parents and the general public on the importance of inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities in ECEC settings. •To increase the visibility of children with intellectual disabilities, deconstruct stereotypes and fight discrimination through overcoming barriers to early years education.
Тhe EMBRACE project emanates from the need for support continuous professional development of ECEC staff and leaders in working with children with intellectual disabilities, and in building partnerships and collaborations among themselves and with children, parents and community members. The main project target groups were staff working in ECEC settings, including educational staff, care staff and auxiliary staff/assistants, as well as leaders/heads of ECEC settings, i.e. nurseries and kindergartens. Ultimately, the project wanted to benefit preschool children with intellectual disabilities, such as autism, Down's syndrome, fragile X syndrome, Williams syndrome, Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.