APATE opens inclusive nurseries in Paris, offering children with disabilities ordinary care in non-medicalized settings, aiming to bridge the gap between legislation and practice.
Exclusion of children with disabilities persists
Despite laws intended to ensure equal access to education, young children with disabilities are still often excluded from mainstream nurseries and kindergartens. This issue highlights a gap between policy and practice in early childhood education.APATE's inclusive nurseries in Paris
The Association for the Care of All Children (APATE) is addressing this gap by opening inclusive nurseries and kindergartens in Paris. These facilities provide an ordinary environment for children with and without disabilities, aiming to foster integration and socialization from an early age.APATE's history and growth
APATE opened its first multi-purpose nursery in 1992, already including a third of children with disabilities. Since then, the association has expanded to six other structures, all offering an accessible price through subsidies from the City of Paris and the CAF.Support and supervision for children with disabilities
In these nurseries, children are divided into small groups with one adult for every eight children. This allows for strong supervision and care tailored to children like Joséphine, who sometimes needs to be contained, or Juliette, who requires physical support to sit.Collaboration with families and medical teams
The team at APATE works closely with families and the CAMSP (Early Medical and Social Action Center) to provide quick responses to any challenges. This includes ongoing training, weekly team meetings, and collective sessions with a psychologist to ensure all children receive appropriate support.Challenges of limited capacity
Despite the efforts, APATE faces challenges due to limited space. Director Concetta Prete expresses the difficulty of having to refuse enrollments, noting that some children remain at home without access to socialization opportunities.Long-term commitment and future plans
APATE's director emphasizes the importance of long-term commitment to children with disabilities. The association plans to open its eighth facility, the Goldfish, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, an area lacking such inclusive nurseries.Legal framework and its shortcomings
The 2005 law mandates that children with disabilities should be schooled in their local schools in ordinary environments. However, in practice, this is rarely applied due to a lack of resources in schools and specialized structures like the IME (Institut Médico-Educatif).Inclusion in Lyon
The care of children with disabilities in ordinary nurseries is also a focus for the association Une Souris Verte in Lyon. This organization has opened four nurseries where inclusion is emphasized through the team's approach and the way children are perceived.Early exposure to diversity
At Une Souris Verte, children are encouraged to see differences without stigma. For example, child care assistant Marie describes Sirine not by her disability but by her curiosity and energy, helping other children understand and accept differences naturally.Benefits for all children
The inclusive environment benefits all children, not just those with disabilities. By respecting each child's developmental stage, APATE creates a space where learning and growth are not rushed, allowing for a more reflective and supportive approach to education.
