Experiences of Congolese refugee families in New Zealand: Challenges and possibilities for early childhood provision

Abstract

Internationaly, there has been a broad commitment to seeking refugee perspectives on resettlement experiences. Recent research has highlighted challenges for refugees in accessing school and tertiary education that is responsive to their ethnic and cultural identities and to the contexts of their lives. There are few studies, however, of refugee perspectives on early childhood education. This absence is worrying, given the growing number of refugee families with preschool children and the potential for early childhood education to play a transformative role in family lives. In a small community research study we analyse the drawings, stories and focus group discussions of Congolese refugee families who talked about living in New Zealand, their aspirations for their children and for early childhood education and care. We argue that understanding these points of view could be the basis for creating new possibilities that enable cultural and social connectedness, social justice and equity, and agency within early childhood provisions.