The Pre-School Learning Alliance is committed to helping pre-schools provide equality of opportunity for all children and families. As a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, St. Francis Pre-School Playgroup believes that no child, individual or family should be excluded from the pre-school’s activities on the grounds of age, gender, sexuality, class, family status, means, disability, colour, ethnic origin, culture, religion or belief. We aim to ensure that all who wish to work in, or volunteer to help with, our pre-school have an equal chance to do so.
We would make reasonable adjustments to our premises in order to overcome physical barriers for access.
In order for this policy to be effective, it is important to define some key terms:
Direct Discrimination: Where one person is treated less favourably than another
person due to their sex, gender, sexual orientation, race etc.
Indirect Discrimination: Where a condition or practice is imposed by someone and
these have an adverse impact disproportionately on one group
or other.
Victimisation: Where someone is singled out and treated oppressively,
whatever the pretext for this, including for example, using
complaints procedure and/or exercising their Legal Rights.
Harassment: Unwanted conduct of one person imposed on another,
affecting the dignity of the aggrieved person.
St. Francis Pre-School Playgroup works in accordance with all relevant legislation, including
Disabled Persons Act 1958,1986
Race Relations Act 1976
Race Relations Amendment Act 2000
Sex Discrimination Act 1986
Sex Discrimination Act Amendment Regulations 2008
Children Act 2004
Admissions
St. Francis Pre-School Playgroup is open to every family in the community. The waiting list is not operated on a first come, first served basis but on a fairer system. We use the following policy on admissions to our group:
Children living in the pre-school’s designated area with a sibling who will be attending the pre-school at the time of admission.
Other children living in the pre-school’s designated area (Newton & Noss).
Children living outside pre-school’s designated area, but with a sibling who will be attending the pre-school at the time of admission.
Other children living outside the pre-school’s designated area.
Families joining the pre-school are made aware of our equal opportunities policy.
See our Admissions Policy.
Employment
The pre-school will appoint the best person for each job and will treat fairly all applicants for jobs and all those appointed.
No applicant will be rejected on the grounds of age, gender, sexuality, class, means, family status, disability, colour, ethnic origin, culture, religion or belief.
Commitment to implementing the pre-school’s Equal Opportunities Policy will form part of the job description for all workers.
Families
The pre-school recognises that many different types of family successfully love and care for children.
The pre-school offers a flexible payment system for families with differing means.
Festivals
Our aim is to show respectful awareness of all major events in the lives of the children and families in the pre-school, and in our society as a whole, and to welcome the diversity of backgrounds from which they come.
In order to achieve this we aim to acknowledge all the festivals which are celebrated in our area and/or by the families involved in our pre-school:
Without indoctrination in any specific faith, children will be made aware of the festivals which are being celebrated by their own families or others, and will be introduced where appropriate to the stories behind the festivals.
Before introducing a festival with which adults are not themselves familiar, appropriate advice will be sought from people to whom that festival is a familiar one.
Children and families who celebrate at home festivals with which the rest of the pre-school is familiar will be invited to share their festival with the rest of the group, if they wish to do so.
Children will be encouraged to welcome a range of different festivals, together with the stories, celebrations and special food and clothing they involve, as part of the diversity of life.
The Curriculum
All children will be respected and their individuality and potential recognised, valued and nurtured. Activities and the use of play equipment offer children opportunities to develop in an environment free from prejudice and discrimination. Opportunities will be given to children to explore, acknowledge and value similarities and differences between themselves and others.
Resources
These will be chosen to give children a balanced view of the world and an appreciation of the rich diversity of our multi-racial society.
Materials will be selected to help children to develop their self-respect and to respect other people by avoiding stereotypes and derogatory pictures or messages about any group of people.
Special Needs
The pre-school recognises the wide range of special needs of children and families in their community, and will consider what part it will play in meeting these needs.
Planning for pre-school meetings and events will take into account the needs of people with disabilities.
See our Special Needs Policy.
Discriminatory Behaviour/Remarks
These are unacceptable in the pre-school.
The response will aim to be sensitive to the feelings of the victim(s) and to help those responsible to understand and overcome their prejudices.
Language
Information, written and spoken, will be clearly communicated in as many languages as necessary.
Bilingual/multilingual children and adults are an asset. They will be valued and their languages recognised and respected in the pre-school.
Food
Medical, cultural and dietary needs will be met.
Meetings
The time, place and conduct of meetings will ensure that all families have an equal opportunity to be involved in the running of the pre-school.
See our Inclusion Policy
