Comparing the systemic policy development of early childhood intervention and its intersections with inclusion between Greece and Cyprus

Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is a human rights response to all young children and their families with a specific focus on those who experience social marginalisation. It requires transversal synergies between education, social care, and health. This paper presents findings from a comparative policy analysis on ECI policy developments in Greece and Cyprus from 1999 to date published by the relevant Ministries/Deputy Ministries, public services, and centres. Following a thematic analysis, three areas of comparison emerged: provision of early childhood specialist support and services; efforts to align with European and international discourses on disability rights; and a fragmented and restrictive ECI policy framework. The paper discusses significant barriers to the adoption of an inclusive approach to ECI, such as an overemphasis on diagnosis leading to therapies and special education provision, utilisation of European Union funding for services that exclude, and absence of coherent policy frameworks to provide holistic family-centred support. In light of these findings, the paper concludes that despite the different historical and policy trajectories of the two countries, ableist thinking guides similar ECI approaches that exclude rather than include. Among other recommendations, the paper advocates for the development of interconnected, sustainable, and inclusive ECI policies, informed by culturally oriented and contextually grounded research.