Equal Opportunities

We believe that the group's activities should be open to all children and families, and to all adults committed to their welfare. We aim to ensure that all who wish to work in, or volunteer to help with, our pre-school 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 our Equal Opportunities Policy.

• 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 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.

• 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, and 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.

• Without indiscrimination in any specific faith, children will be made aware of the festivals which are being celebrated by their own families or others, and will be introduced, where appropriate, to the stories behind the festivals.
• Before introducing a festival with which the adults in the pre-school are not themselves familiar, appropriate advice will be sought from people to whom that festival is a familiar one.
• Children and families who celebrate at home festivals with which the rest of the pre-school is not familiar will be invited to share their festival with the rest of the group, if they themselves wish to do so.
• Children will be encouraged to welcome a range of different festivals, together with the stories, celebrations and special food and clothing they involve, as part of the diversity of life. Parents to be informed beforehand.
• 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.

• Special Needs

  The pre-school recognises the wide range of special needs of children and families in the community, and will consider what part it can play in meeting these needs. Planning for pre-school meetings and events will take into account the needs of people with disabilities.

• Discriminatory Behaviour/Remarks

  These are unacceptable in the pre-school. The response will aim to be sensitive to the feelings of the victim(s) and to help those responsible to understand and overcome their prejudices.

• 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.

• Food

  Medical, cultural and dietary needs will be met.

• Meetings

  The time, place and conduct of meetings will ensure that all families have an equal opportunity to be involved in the running of the pre-school.