A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal
Engagement in early childhood education: A systematic review of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller populations in Europe; 
Authors: Ponce, Sara; Symonds, Jennifer; Sloan, Seaneen; Gibbons, Ryan Alberto
Publisher: Wiley
Publication year: 2026
Article number: e70180
Volume: 14
Issue: 2
eISSN: 2049-6613
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.70180
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.70180
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/533869113
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
This systematic review focuses on engagement in early childhood education (ECE) within Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities. ECE increases lifelong educational success rates along with narrowing poverty and equity gaps. Yet the GRT participation rate in ECE is nearly half that of the majority mainstream population. In an effort to understand the underlying barriers and facilitators of engagement in ECE among GRT populations, two search methods were employed: a search of the academic databases and a grey literature search using a defined and informed search strategy (PRISMA). We included studies that were ECE focused and included GRT individuals from the continent of Europe and surrounding islands. All articles in this review were to be published in English and informed by PRISMA guidelines. Five identified qualitative articles were assessed for quality and underwent data extraction. Data were analysed using Thematic Synthesis through NVivo12. Results identified themes that included: first, external barriers, for example, financial means and prejudice. Second, internal barriers such as negative parent ideals and culture. Third, external facilitators, for example, school support, teacher support and parent participation. Last, internal facilitators such as parent motivation along with parent and educator hopes and experiences. This review has the potential to inform ECE educators, settings, stakeholders and policymakers in understanding the lived experiences of GRT families, what facilitators can do to ensure greater uptake and engagement with ECE and what barriers are present in order to create pathways of change for Europe's largest minority group.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |
Funding information in the publication:
The research conducted in this publication was funded by Research Ireland under grant number GOIPG/2023/3112.