“United in diversity” : Similarities and differences between the Hungarian and German inclusive early childhood education

Abstract: The aim of this systematic literature review is to present and compare the implementation of inclusion in the early childhood education system and its implication for children in Hungarian and German preschools. The thesis contains two research questions, with the following questions: What similarities and differences can be observed between the two education systems regarding inclusion? What implications does inclusion have on the children’s everyday life in the early childhood education? The articles used for the research underwent a selection process for the purpose of the research, in accordance with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. During the selection, in the form of peer-reviewed, scientific papers, qualitative and quantitative studies. The systematic analysis pointed out that the inclusive early childhood education systems of Hungary and Germany have a similar structure, but they differ significantly from each other in some aspects. Furthermore, the results highlighted the positive effects of inclusive early childhood education on children.