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 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; a fragmented and restrictive ECI policy framework. The barriers that prevent an inclusive approach to ECI are discussed, such as the emphasis on diagnosis which narrows down the focus of ECI to therapy/special education provision for children, the European Union funding of segregated solutions, and the failure of coherent policy frameworks to provide holistic family-centred support.