Equalities Policy
Our setting is committed to valuing diversity and promoting equality of opportunity for all.
The setting take great care to treat each individual as a person in their own right, with equal
rights and responsibilities to any other individual, whether they be an adult or child. We
seek to challenge prejudice and discrimination and to create an anti-bias environment in
which all children have a sense of belonging. The setting and its staff aim to provide and
encourage positive roles models, displayed through toys, imaginary play and activities that
promote non stereo typed images. We promote and encourage positive attitudes and
relationships between all our children, families and the wider community.
A Flying Start Nursery is situated in the Cambridgeshire countryside. We currently have 7
members of staff and 30 children registered at the setting. The nursery has an even intake
of boys and girls on a yearly basis from 2013-2014. The setting is predominantly white
British, however over the last few years there has been an increase of ethnic minority
groups. At present this is 20% of all registered children. Currently all children at the setting
have English as their first language. 13% of children are SEN and are currently being
supported by the settings staff and other professionals who work closely together.
By publishing this information we demonstrate our commitment to the specific duty within
the Equality Act 2010.
The setting treats each person as an individual, this does not necessarily mean treating
them the same. Our policies, procedures and activities promote equality and we challenge
discriminatory behaviour and language. Never the less we take into account differences of
lives experiences, background and individual needs and the types of barriers and
disadvantages that people may face. We respect each person’s religion and culture and
comply with reasonable requests relating to religious observance and practice.
No child will be discriminated against on the grounds of sex, race, religion, colour or creed.
Wherever possible those designated disabled or disadvantaged will be considered for a
place taking into account their individual circumstances and their ability of the nursery to
provide the necessary standard of care. The nursery will strive to insure that all services and
projects are accessible and relevant to all groups and individuals in the community within
targeted age groups. We will strive to promote equal access to services and projects by
taking practical steps such as insuring access too disabled people and producing material in
relevant languages and media.
We value and respect all communication with children, parents/carers, staff and other
professionals. We endeavour to listen and schedule meetings at accessible and convenient
times. We aim to ensure the content of this policy is known to all staff, parents, carers and
children where appropriated. We will share the names of our SENCO and ENCO with
families.
Our policies, procedures and activities will promote positive interaction, good relationships
and respect between individuals, groups and communities.
We aim to promote an inclusive ethos and offer children a variety of relevant resources that
positively reflect diversity, alongside suitable activities that reflect their interests. We make
reasonable adjustments to ensure planning reflects equality of access to resources and
activities for all children including those with SEN and those who speak English as an
additional language. Staff work with parents to encourage children who speak English as an
additional language to also speak their home language and understand the value that this
has in contributing to a positive sense of identity, learning and general linguistic
development.
We ensure that all staff including support staff receive appropriate training and
opportunities for professional development to enable them to develop anti-discriminatory
and inclusive practices. We ensure that staff are confident and fully trained to meet the
individual needs of the children e.g. administrating medicine and performing intimate care
procedures when these are needed.
All posts for employment are advertised and all applicants are judged against explicit and
fair criteria. Applicants are welcomed from all backgrounds and we aim for staffing to
represent the diversity of the community. All job descriptions include the promotion of
equality as part of their specification.
Our setting has two Equalities Named Co-ordinators (ENCO)
Chrisse Agate
Hayley Pepper
The ENCO’s co-ordinate the development of equalities provision throughout the setting.
Our setting has two Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCO)
Michelle Brown
Carrie Gould
The SENCO’s co-ordinate the provision for children with SEN/D within the setting, works in
partnership with parents, staff and external agencies and ensures appropriate record
keeping procedures are in place.
The setting is opposed to all forms of prejudice and will take action against discriminatory
behaviour (including that of staff, parents/carers, children and any other visitors to our
setting). The setting aims to foster a culture were prejudice related incidents are proactively
dealt with and reported. We will follow the guidance in the ENCO handbook regarding
prejudice relating incidents. We keep a record of prejudice related incidents and feedback
anonymous data to local authorities.
We aim to identify the vulnerable and under achieving groups within our setting and include
strategies to close the gap in achievement between under achieving groups of children and
others.
SEN/D is a recognised vulnerable group –in our setting we understand the need for early
identification and assessment. We work closely with parents and offer a differentiated
curriculum, targeted learning and development to improve outcomes for children with
SEN/D.
We acknowledge our commitment to the specific duties under the Equality Act 2010. We
publish equalities information about our setting on our website and in our information pact
for parent/carers. We set two equalities objectives every four years.
We continually review our practices to ensure that we are fully implementing our policy. We
review our equalities policy regularly at least on an annual basis, in consultation with staff.
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