EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY ADMISSION & INCLUSION Octoner 2011


EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES


* 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 with equal concern and respect within the complete sphere of our child care services and recognise that each child is a unique individual with needs that may differ from another.

We work closely with parents and other agencies where appropriate to ensure individual children’s needs are met. 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 this with us.

Each child is offered equality of access to opportunities to learn and develop and so work towards her/his potential. Children are not treated ‘all the same’; they are treated ‘with equal concern’ in order to meet each child’s needs. Children need more and/or different support at different times and during different stages in order to have equality of opportunity.

We 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.

We value children’s racial and other personal characteristics; this helps them develop self-esteem.

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

All parents are given copies of all business documentation, policies and documents prior to signing a contract to so they have the opportunity to take advice, research or compare their childcare options, enabling they to make an informed decision


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

We view the contributions made to this society by a variety of cultural groups in a positive light, and information about varying traditions, customs and festivals is presented as a source of pleasure and enjoyment to all children. This promotes self-esteem and appreciation of others by celebrating the differences which
make us all unique.

Children are 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. We provide and make sure that all children have access to a range of books, toys and other resources which reflect positive images and examples of the diversity of life in our society, in accordance with the Inclusive Practice guidelines within the EYFS.

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

We have a policy of actively including all children and their families. We will happily offer a place for the child

• 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

Priority is given to:

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



Wendy & Louis Bernardelle
The Wendy House N12