Equal Opportunities Policy
The Pre-School Learning Alliance is committed to helping pre-schools provide equality of opportunity for all children and families and take positive action to eliminate discrimination in all area of their work. As a member of the Alliance, Rainbow’s End Pre-school works in accordance with all relevant legislation, including:
-
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
-
Race Relations Act 1976
-
Sex Discrimination Act 1986
-
Children Act 1989
-
Care Standard Act 2000
-
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1991
We believe that the group’s activities should be open to all children and families, and to all adults committed to their education and care. 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 serve basis but on a fairer system. We use the following system for accepting children from the waiting list. According to their age and priority is given to those who have siblings already attending Pre-school sessions.
Families joining the pre-school are made aware of its equal opportunities policy, which is regularly reviewed.
Employment
Any vacancies will be advertised. 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 groups equal Opportunities Policy will form part of the job description for all workers.
Families
The pre-school recognises that many types of family group can, and do, successfully provide love and care for children. The pre-school aims to offer support to all families.
The pre-school offers a flexible payment system for families with differing means.
Festivals and Religions
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 and religions that are celebrated in our area and/or by the families involved in the pre-school.
-
Children will be made aware of all festivals and religions 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 or religion with which the adults in the pre-school are not themselves familiar with they will familiarise themselves with that event.
-
Children and families who celebrate at home with celebrations which the rest of the pre-school is not familiar will be invited to share their religious celebration with the rest of the group, if they themselves wish to do so.
-
Children will become familiar with and enjoy taking part in a range of festivals and religious celebrations together with the stories, special food and clothing they involve, as part of the diversity of life.
The Curriculum
All the 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. Management of resources within the pre-school will ensure that both boys and girls have full access to all kinds of activities and equipment and are equally encouraged to learn from them.
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 using images and words that reflect positively the contribution of all members of society.
Special Needs
The pre-school recognises that children have a wide range of needs which differ from time to time, and will consider what part it can play in meeting these needs as they arise.
Planning for pre-school meetings and events will take into account the needs of people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Discriminatory Behaviour/Remarks
Any discriminatory language, behaviour or remarks by children, parents or any other adults are unacceptable in the pre-school.
Our response will aim to demonstrate support for the victim(s), to help those responsible to understand and overcome their prejudices and to make it clear that such behaviour/remarks will not be tolerated.
Language
Basic information, written or spoken will be clearly communicated in as many languages as are necessary and possible.
Bilingual/multilingual children and adults are an asset to the whole group. Parents will be encouraged to speak to children in their first language at home.
Children and parents who have English as a second or additional language will be valued and their languages recognised and respected in pre-school.
Meetings
The pre-school will make every effort to ensure that the time, place and conduct of meetings enable the majority of parents to attend so that all families have any equal opportunity to be involved and informed about the pre-school.