Policy & Procedure No.22
1. At Millfield Pre-school (MPS) we aim to acknowledge and value each child’s individual stage, ability, religion, culture, language and family group. The MPS Equal Opportunities Officer is Pat Manchand.
2. We recognise that parents/carers are the child’s educators and welcome their involvement in our setting.
3. We actively seek to combat sexism and promote equal opportunities for all children and their families.
4. How we achieve this:
a. The medical, cultural and dietary needs of the children, families and adults working in MPS will be met.
b. We plan to extend the children’s experience and knowledge of other cultures, languages and celebrations.
c. We choose cultural celebrations by reviewing which celebrations the children know and celebrate at home. We also look at which activities will fit into our themes. (Celebrations are festivals, birthdays or any celebration that MPS or the children celebrate.)
d. We encourage the children to use dolls, puppets and models to explore the diversity of people.
e. We challenge discriminatory behaviour or remarks. We will talk in a way that is sensitive to the children involved and help them understand and overcome their prejudices.
f. Where it is safe and reasonable, we seek to enable adults with disabilities to take part in the Pre-School.
g. As a team, we monitor our practice and have regular meetings to discuss and decide how to improve our practice and procedures.
h. We have suitable changing facilities for changing soiled nappies. However, children are expected to arrive in a dry, clean nappy and parents are expected to provide their child with spare/extra nappy changing products.
i. The MPS entrance ramp provides the opportunity for those with restricted mobility to access the inside and outside provision.
j. We encourage parents/carers to stay with their child when they first attend MPS until all parties are happy that the child has settled (see Policy and Procedure No.10).
k. Where English is not the child’s primary language, we will meet with the family to gather some favourite words which we can use in communication.
5. If a parent/carer needs a Welcome Pack, a Policy & Procedures Manual, or any Newsletter translated, the Lead Practitioner/Manager will contact:
The English Language Support Service
Boardman House
Redwell Street
Norwich
NR2 4SL
Tel: 01603 727890