Drive Inclusion 2026: Spotlight on Early Expulsion and Exclusion
Did you know that expulsion is more common in preschool than high school?
You can help us do something about that.
Last year, Kids Included introduced our Drive Inclusion luncheon and fundraising campaign to rally community support for children with disabilities and their families. Following a very successful event last year, we're excited to be bringing Drive Inclusion back this fall!
This year's luncheon will be held on Wednesday, November 18 at the Royal Glenora Club. We'll be sharing the latest on the emPOWER Car social innovation project that last year's donors supported so wholeheartedly, and offering an inside look at another vital part of our work: addressing the issue of expulsion and exclusion in early learning and child care.
What is Early Expulsion?
“Early expulsion” refers to the removal of a child from a preschool or child care program, often due to behaviours that educators find challenging. Ostensibly, expulsion is treated as a last resort after all other interventions have been exhausted. But too often, expulsion occurs not because there is no other option, but because educators do not have the resources, time, training, or support to manage complex behaviours.
Expulsion is especially common among children with neurodevelopmental disabilities such as autism. In fact, as many as one in six autistic children will experience expulsion before they reach kindergarten.
When they enter K-12 schools, children who have been expelled from early learning programs are more likely to struggle socially and academically and have low-self esteem.
Early education should be for everyone. Kids Included works to ensure that all children have equitable access to early education and child care programs by offering support, training, and other resources to early educators.
Quick Facts:
Early expulsion is emotionally, academically, and socially damaging for kids and families.
Early expulsion disproportionately affects children with neurodivergence, disabilities, and/or complex needs.
Educators want to support every child, but they don’t always have the training, time, resources, or support they need to manage complex behaviours or accommodate a neurodivergent child.
Kids Included helps educators avoid expulsion by giving them support, tools, resources, and training to understand and respond to complex behaviours.
Want to learn more?
Join us for our Drive Inclusion fundraising luncheon on November 18, 2026 to hear from real families who've been there.
