본 연구는 누리과정과 개별화교육계획을 병합ㆍ운영하는 합의된 학급수준 교육과정 편성ㆍ운영 지침 개발을 위한 첫 단계로 발달지체유아의 학급수준 교육과정에 대한 유아특수교육 전문가들의 인식과 요구를 분석하였다. 이를 위하여 유아특수교육 전문가 6명과심층면담을 실시하였다. 연구 결과 첫째, 발달지체유아를 위한 학급수준 교육과정의 정의및 당위성, 누리과정과 개별화교육계획의 병합ㆍ운영 방안, 양질의 교육과정 편성ㆍ운영을 위한 유아특수교사가 갖추어야 할 자질 등을 확인하였다. 둘째, 양질의 학급수준 교육과정 편성ㆍ운영을 위해서는 좋은 유아교육이 선행되어야 하고, 개별화교육계획과 교육과정의 병합ㆍ운영 지침 마련, 교수적 수정이 선행된 통합교육 실행 등이 개선되어야 한다.
본 연구는 발달지체유아를 위한 양질의 학급수준 교육과정 편성ㆍ운영 지침 개발을 위한기초 자료를 제공하였다는 점에서 그 의의가 있다.The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of early childhood special education experts on classroom curriculum for preschoolers with developmental delays and their needs for that in an effort to pave the way for the compilation of classroom curriculum and for the preparation of operating instructions, as it’s agreed that a classroom curriculum should be implemented by combining the Nuri curriculum and Individualized Education Plans. The subjects in this study were six experts in early childhood special education, who were interviewed in depth. The findings of the study were as follows: First, the definition and requirements of classroom curriculum for preschoolers with developmental delays were confirmed, and how to combine the Nuri curriculum and Individualized Education Plans and how to implement a classroom curriculum were confirmed. In addition, what qualifications early childhood special education teachers should have to ensure high-quality curriculum compilation and implementation was confirmed. Second, effective early childhood education should first be provided to guarantee the quality of curriculum compilation and implementation, and guidelines about the combination of individualized education plans and the curriculum and the implementation of classroom curriculum should be prepared. Besides, instructional adaptation is required to offer efficient inclusive education. This study is of significance in that it provided information on the compilation and operating instructions of classroom curriculum for preschoolers with developmental delays.