Equality & Diversity Policy (including Race and Culture)

Aim

The aim of the nursery is to provide inclusive, high quality childcare and education that respond to the different needs of families and individuals. This will be achieved by adherence to the following principles:

• Not to Discriminate on the basis of factors such as age, disability, gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, cultural or national origin. This is in line with the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000. This places a duty on all public authorities to promote race equality and equality of opportunities of people between different races.
• Provide customer/user responsive service which encourages learning about people from different races and cultures.
• Staff will promote our aims contributing towards a happy and caring environment and by showing respect for, and appreciation of, children and their families whatever races or culture they may be.

Managing Equality in Practice

1. Admissions

The nursery will ensure that admissions policy is fair and transparent.

2. Consultation

Activities, which are developed, will be based on ongoing consultation and day to day listening to children and parents to develop service priorities. Consulting, learning and listening to parents is an integral part of our inclusive and anti-discriminatory approach to meeting individual needs. All toys and books will be selected in order to provide positive images.

3. Recruitment and Selection

Individuals will be recruited, selected, trained and promoted on the basis of occupational skill requirements. In all staff appointments the best candidate will be appointed based on strict professional criteria. The Centre will ensure that no job applicant or employee will receive less favorable treatment on the grounds of ability, age, gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, cultural or national origin or sexuality.

4. Training

Staff training on equalities issues will be organised so that they apply this policy consistently.

5. Curriculum

The curriculum provided for children will be well-planned, culturally appropriate and respect the lives, languages, beliefs and experiences of girls and boys from various ethnic, social, cultural/family backgrounds and from a wide range of ability levels.

6. Registration
Children’s and adults names will be accurately recorded and correctly pronounced. Children will be encouraged to accept and respect names from other cultures.

7. Discrimination
All forms of discrimination by any person within the Children’s Centre responsibility will be challenged and appropriate action taken. Offensive symbols, badges and insignia on clothing and equipment are forbidden in the Centre. Staff should be aware of possible cultural assumptions and bias within their own attitudes. Parents should be aware of the Centre’s commitment to equal opportunities.

8. Language
The nursery views linguistic diversity positively. Children, parents and staff must feel that their home language is valued.

9. Resources
The Centres aim is to provide for all service/activity users according to their needs.

10. Supporting Policies and Procedures
Equalities issues will be addressed through other supporting policies and procedures underpinned by equality of opportunity such as: admissions, staffing, training, food, administration, and curriculum planning and so on.

Equality of opportunity permeates the whole ethos of the Centre and our policies and practices in regards to promoting equalities issues will be reviewed regularly.

© 2010