THE CHALLENGES OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD INCLUSION

Inclusive education in early childhood setting requires collaboration between parents and teachers. This study sought to investigate the challenges which arise when parents make efforts to involve themselves in the learning process. This is a qualitative study with evaluative method. Data were collected by distributing questionnaires and interviewing parents and teachers of Gita Kasih I Preschool and Kindergarten in Gresik, East Java, Indonesia. The result suggests that there are two major areas of challenges, namely: 1) the lack of resources in terms of educational and professional training background; and 2) school readiness.