Inclusion Policy

Our pre-school aims to provide welcoming and appropriate learning opportunities to include all children and their families. We aim to ensure that all who wish to work in, or volunteer to help with our pre-school, are included and have an equal chance to do so.

Admissions

The pre-school is open to every family in the community. The waiting list is not operated on a first come, first served basis, but on a fairer system. Families joining the pre-school are made aware of the Equal Opportunities Policy. Applications for admission are considered sympathetically and the needs of each child are assessed on an individual basis.

Employment

The pre-school will appoint the best person for each job and will treat fairly all applicants for jobs and all those appointed. Commitment to implementing the group's Equal Opportunities Policy and Inclusion Policy will form part of the job description for all workers.

Families

The pre-school recognises that many different types of family successfully love and care for children. The pre-school offers a flexible payment system for families with differing means. Our aim is to show respectful awareness of social groups in society that can experience inequalities and social exclusion without indiscrimination.

Festivals

Our aim is to show respectful awareness of all the major events in the lives of the children and families in the pre-school and in our society as a whole, to welcome the diversity of backgrounds from which they come. In order to achieve this, we aim to acknowledge all the festivals, which are celebrated in our area and/or by the families involved in the pre-school.

The Curriculum

All children will be respected and their individuality and potential recognised, valued and nurtured. Activities and the use of play equipment offer children opportunities to develop in an environment free from prejudice and discrimination. Appropriate opportunities will be given to children to explore, acknowledge and value similarities and differences between themselves and others.

Resources

These will be chosen to give children a balanced view of the world and an appreciation of the rich diversity of our multi-racial society. Materials will be selected to help children to develop their self-respect and to respect other people by avoiding stereotypes and derogator pictures or messages about any group of people. All toys and resources required for individual children will be obtained via the appropriate organisations, if required.

Special Needs

Our staff are committed to providing equal opportunities for all children and we feel that children benefit from integration and learn a great deal from each other (see our Equal Opportunities Policy). Our staff has a wide range of skills and experience of children with SEN and promotes their inclusion in a positive way, creating a happy atmosphere for all children. Children with SEN have full access to a broad and balanced curriculum based on the early learning goals. (See our Special Educational Needs (SEN) Policy). Our staff attends, whenever possible, in-service training on special needs, we also use visual aids and include makaton in our daily planning.

Discriminatory behaviour/remarks

These are unacceptable in the pre-school. The response will aims to be sensitive to the feeling of the victim(s) and to help those responsible to understand and overcome theier prejudices. See Behaviour Management Policy.

Language

Information written or spoken will be clearly communicated in as many languages, as necessary. Bilingual/multilingual children will be valued and their languages recognised and respected in the pre-school. We welcome children with SEN and children whose first language is not English.

Food & Dietary Requirement

Medical, cultural and dietary needs will be met.

Health & Medication

We record and administer any special diet or medication after discussion and written agreement form parents/carers.

Monitoring & Evaluation

All children are invited to the pre-school for a visit to enable consultation with parents, the pre-school leader and key worker to discuss the specific needs of the individual child, plans can then be made to meet those needs. Parents/Carers are encouraged to share their specific knowledge and expertise with regard to their child's care and well being. Staff learn form this information and build upon it. Our system of observation and record keeping, which operates in conjunction with the parents, enables us to monitor children's needs and progress on an individual basis.

The Inclusion Policy will be reviewed and updated annually.

We believe children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. Our intention is to work in partnership with parents and the community generally and we welcome suggestions on how to improve our group at any time. Any complaints, however, would be taken seriously and dealt with fairly and confidentially (see our Complaints Procedures and Confidentiality Policy).