EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES February 2010

Means:-

* offering ways of ensuring that individuals have opportunities
to benefit from services to the same extent – some may need
additional or different help to ensure equality of opportunity
* for all children independent of race, creed, colour, gender or
ability making no stereotypical assumptions

We believe in treating all people equally within the complete sphere of our child care services.

This does not prevent us from recognising that each child is an individual with needs that may differ from another.

It is not always easy to get the correct balance. If you as a parent feel that there is room for improvement in the way in which we operate, please feel free to raise the issue and discuss it with us.

Each child should be offered equality of access to opportunities to learn and develop and so work towards her/his potential. Each child is a unique individual, this must be respected. Children should not be treated ‘all the same’. In order to meet a child’s needs it is necessary to treat each child ‘with equal concern’. Some children need more and/or different support in order to have equality of opportunity.

It is essential to avoid stereotyping on the basis or gender, racial origin, cultural or social background (including religion, language, class and family patterns), or disability: such stereotypes may act as barriers to equality of access to opportunity.

Parents and carers should demonstrate their valuing of children’s racial and other personal characteristics in order to help them develop self-esteem.

These principles of equality of access to opportunity and avoidance of stereotyping must also be applied to interactions with other adults.



ANTI-DISCRIMINATION

We have a responsibility to ensure positive attitudes to diversity and difference – not only so that every child is included and not disadvantaged, but also so that they learn from the earliest age to value diversity in others and grow up making a positive contribution to society.


Focus is on each child’s individual learning, development and care needs by:

• removing or helping to overcome barriers for children where
these already exist
• being alert to the early signs of needs that could lead to
later difficulties and responding quickly and appropriately,
involving other agencies if necessary
• stretching and challenging all children

All children, irrespective of ethnicity, culture or religion, home language, family background, learning difficulties or disabilities, gender or ability have the opportunity to experience a challenging and enjoyable programme of learning and development.

Children learn prejudice from their earliest years and must be provided with accurate information to help them avoid prejudice.

Expressions of prejudice by children or adults will be challenged and support offered to those children or adults who are the object of prejudice and discrimination.



CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

The contributions made to this society by a variety of cultural groups should be viewed in a positive light, and information about varying traditions, customs and festivals should be presented as a source of pleasure and enjoyment to all children.

Children should be helped to develop a sense of their identity within their racial, cultural and social groups, as well as having the opportunity to learn about cultures different from their own.

Should you have any artefacts, books, toys or other resources reflecting your own lifestyle or culture, please bring them in for us to share with all the children.




ADMISSION & INCLUSION POLICY

We have an open and all-inclusive policy concerning admission and inclusion:

• if we have a suitable vacancy
• if we feel able to meet the child’s needs and make
reasonable adjustments
• if we feel that we and the potential new parents have
similar views and ideals and could work successfully
and comfortably together

we would happily offer a place for the child

Priority is given to:

• parents with children already in our care
• parents who have had children our care



Wendy & Louis Bernardelle