Equal Opportunities Policy

Staff involvement
This policy was drawn up in the consultation with the Head Teacher of Taynuilt Primary School and the staff of Taynuilt Pre 5 Unit.

This establishment will ensure that no child or their family is excluded or disadvantaged because of ethnicity, religion, culture, family background, place of home, language, disability, additional support needs ,gender, physical appearance home language or ability. We will ensure that all children feel secure, included and valued. We do not tolerate discrimination of any sort.

Aims

To establish feelings of respect and trust with all children and their parents/guardians.
To treat each child as an individual, put them at the centre of everything we do and provide equality of opportunity within the establishment.
Encourage self-confidence and self-esteem and a positive attitude to learning in all children.
Make children aware of different cultures, religions and beliefs around the world.

To achieve these aims we will:

Talk to the parents about the child’s ethnic, religious and cultural heritage and experiences at home.
Use this information when planning and carrying out activities, setting up, outdoor areas, cooking activities, displays and equipment/resources within the establishment.
Ensure that familiar experiences are used as starting points for learning.
Invite parents in to talk about their cultures, religion and beliefs and ask if there are any objects or pictures they could bring in to show the children.
Address these objectives when planning, setting up, outdoor areas, displays and equipment within the establishment.
We will embrace all cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
Educate the children to make them aware that we all have similarities but we are different and unique in our own way.
Celebrate special cultural events around the year.

All staff will aim to create an environment which encourages a positive attitude to learning and promotes equality by:

Keeping the nursery equipment free from any discriminatory practice or stereotypical images.
Valuing the local community and environment as a source of

learning opportunities.

Using displays, resources and equipment that reflect the community in which the children live as well as the wider world.
Ensuring both girls and boys will be given equal opportunities to participate in a full range of learning experiences.
Taking care not to let any activity become associated exclusively with either boys or girls and educate the children about equality between boys and girls.
Valuing the unique contribution that every child makes and demonstrate this by drawing on the children’s knowledge and experience
By respecting each child’s individuality, that their potential is recognised, valued and nurtured
Being aware of the specific needs of the children and have access to appropriate ways of supporting their individual learning
Ensuring equality of access and use of facilities
Administrative practices and daily routines are established and reviewed to avoid segregation, stereotyping or discrimination
Learn new words or phrases if a child/children speak a second language and use name cards or voice recordings

We currently have many resources which promote equality and diversity in our setting, some of them include:

Dolls and puppets with different skin colours and tones
Posters and booklets
Books and stories
Jigsaws
pretend food from different countries e.g. chop sticks
Small world people of all ages, genders, race and ability
Play dough face mats
Dressing up clothes
Puppets

Monitoring and Review
It is the responsibility of the Head Teacher along with the Pre 5 staff to monitor, evaluate and review the above arrangements and effectiveness of this policy and adjust them according to need.