Parents should receive a welcoming leaflet when they enroll in our setting. The leaflet should cover our policies and procedures on anti-discrimination and inclusion, as well as emphasize the key values we promote.
The leaflet offers parents the chance to share details about their family culture and beliefs. It is essential to stress that sharing this information is voluntary. Politely ask parents to notify you if there are any ways your establishment can improve its support for their beliefs, culture, values, and preferences, thus representing the diversity of the community. In addition to suggesting their own ideas, encourage them to consider:
Religious events, holidays and festivals
Dietary requirements or preferences related to their culture or religion. Any key cultural or religious values
Stories, nursery rhymes, songs and games
Task 2
(3.3)
Which of the following things challenge stereotypes and confront discrimination? Sort the items below into the correct columns using this table.
Swapping the gender of leading characters in songs and rhymes, integrating learning about different cultures into the curriculum, ignoring stereotyped beliefs if they are aired between staff in private, only keeping books and toys in the nursery that conform to ‘normal’ ideas, and intervening sensitively when children make racist comments to one another, all while treating everybody the same.
Encouraging children to independently resolve conflicts by addressing stereotyped beliefs and providing opportunities for professionals with diverse job roles to speak to them.
Challenge discrimination and stereotypes.
It is important not to challenge discrimination and stereotypes.
Changing the gender of the main characters in songs and rhymes
Disregarding any private expression of stereotypical beliefs among staff.
The only items allowed in the nursery are books and toys that adhere to conventional standards.
Allowing children to independently resolve conflicts that arise from stereotypes.
Integrating cultural education into the curriculum while promoting equal treatment for all.
Curating a lineup of professionals who defy stereotypes in their job roles to address children.
When children make racist comments to each other, it is important to intervene sensitively.
Task 3
(3.2)
Think about the various scenarios you may come across in your setting. Create a concise plan for an activity that challenges and alters the beliefs tied to each situation, whether it’s for the staff or the children involved.
1. As a setting manager, you hear room leader Jonathan expressing to practitioner Laura his view that it is unfair for Afia to be given time for prayer every day at work.
Answer: The welfare of the children is of utmost importance in the nursery setting. As a manager, I would organize a staff meeting to address any concerns and consider implementing prayer time, if feasible.
2. As a room leader, you encounter an incident during story time where Farukh expresses his disinterest in hearing a story about a girl who is identified as ‘brown’, claiming that ‘brown’ girls are uninteresting.
Answer: In my role as a room leader, I would engage him with an open question, asking what type of girl he is interested in. Based on his response, I would provide the class with cultural books from various parts of the world, emphasizing that everyone is unique regardless of their diverse backgrounds and appearances.
3. As a setting manager, you are being informed by your deputy, Hannah, that she is unable to give feedback to Gavin’s mother, Layla, by the end of the day. Hannah claims that it is “impossible” to comprehend Layla’s speech due to her speech impediment caused by a stroke she experienced last year.
Answer: As a setting manager, I would ensure effective communication by providing Layla’s mom with a communication book where we can exchange written feedback. Additionally, I would keep the book in a secure location and maintain regular contact with another designated family member.
4. As a room leader, you become aware that one of the staff members in your room has referred to Heidi’s parents, Naomi and Eleanor, as her mother and nanny. This statement has caused confusion for Heidi, who has same-sex parents.
As a room leader, I would organize an activity using play people to show the class that same-sex parents exist.
