UNCRC | Largs Early Years

WHAT IS THE UNCRC?

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.

WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THE UNCRC?

The UNCRC consists of 54 articles that set out children’s rights and how governments should work together to make them available to all children.
Under the terms of the convention, governments are required to meet children’s basic needs and help them reach their full potential. Central to this is the acknowledgment that every child has basic fundamental rights. These include the right to:

Life, survival and development
Protection from violence, abuse or neglect
An education that enables children to fulfil their potential
Be raised by, or have a relationship with, their parents
Express their opinions and be listened to.

What do we do?

At Largs Early Year’s rights are at the heart of our practice. We use UNCRC articles to support safeguarding, children’s voices, education, play, and health and well being factors. Below are some of the key articles within the UNCRC:

Non-discrimination (Article 2)
Best interest of the child (Article 3)
Right to life survival and development (Article 6)
Right to be heard (Article 12)

Within the nursery children have opportunities to learn about their rights through play experiences, staff interactions and resources. Daily routines such as snack and access to the outdoors play a vital part in securing and supporting rights. Key workers and their group will focus on a chosen right each month, using free play, various activities and learning materials to explore these rights. Families will see monthly updates regarding how we have been advocating these rights with children 🙂 All children are included in our practice and receive the same rights e.g. we have different resources to include all such as writing easels for those who benefit from a different position to draw and alternative foods for those with medical needs or dietary preferences. We ensure children have a ‘don’t have to ask’ approach to receiving their rights, it’s always there and available e.g. we have a daily hand washing routine, snack and water available and free play outdoors with emphasis on how these link to rights through child led checklists and helper badges. We celebrate different cultures such as Chinese new year, Christmas and the birth of Jesus to bring awareness of differences and rights to religion etc. Those in the UNCRC steering group that month working on UNCRC articles have the chance to take home learning packs and cuddles the bear. We work in partnership with the campus RRSA leads for the academy and 2 primaries. We plan termly collegiate experiences around the children’s ideas and articles.

What we hope the benefits will be?

Children to become aware of their rights and identify areas of their life, whither at home or in the nursery that secure and promote and provide their rights. Additionally, our aim is for staff and parents to become more familiar with the rights and for our children and families to feel supported, valued and have a voice within the centre.

Lets Explore Our Rights Book pdf – We read this story to the children and it is also included in our UNCRC home packs. YouTube version below: