The integration of Roma children into the kindergarten as the predictor of success in the educational system

The integration of Roma children in kindergartens is very important for their success at school and has a substantial influence on it. Roma children are subject to a 'different' culture in their family environment; they enjoy a culture which stresses physical work and looking after home and younger family members. Their culture and languages are multifarious. At home, Roma children generally talk in a Roma language. To quite some extent, they also use it in public institutions (including schools), which often leads to misunderstandings, as the non-Roma population does not understand the Roma language and Roma children have problems with Slovene. The deficit can be felt in the number of encouragements of Roma parents which they give to their children. One other key factor of unsuccessful integration is the socio-economic condition of Roma families, since the families are poor and the parents unemployed due to inferior education. Next to poverty, another barrier to integration of Roma children in kindergartens is the lack of trust in educational institutions by Roma parents. Bearing in mind everything said, the vicious circle of school failure is created. Therefore, better communication between the parents and the school/kindergarten staff is needed, as it would definitely help Roma children bridge the gap between exclusion and integration. What is extremely important, by attending kindergarten the Roma children practice Slovene, which actually represents a foreign or second language to them. Moreover, if a child has a learning disability or problem, it is identified at an early age and she or he can get proper help to overcome the problem. Also, in kindergartens Roma children spend time with non-Roma children and experience different everyday routines. Later on, these early steps would help them finish schools and consequently find jobs