Equality of Opportunity Policy

Equality of Opportunity Policy

I make sure that all the children in my care are given the opportunity to reach their full potential. This means that I will need to adapt activities to suit each child’s ability and stage of development – this means providing additional resources or giving one child more help and support whilst completing activities or routine.

All the toys in my care are suitable for the age range I look after. No toys are just for boys or just for girls, I encourage children to all play with the same things to their own abilities.

Children in my care will not be discriminated against in anyway. This means their skin colour, culture, gender, ability or religion. I will always challenge any comments that are made towards children in my care that I feel are inappropriate.

I encourage the children that I look after to learn and understand about their own culture and to find out about the culture and religions of other children. To do this, we do it in a fun way by sharing books, colouring, cooking and eating food from around the world and celebrating special festivals. I will always ensure that all the different religious and cultural festivals are celebrated and we will use resources such as woks, chopsticks etc to really show the cultures. I encourage parents to share with me any festivals, special occasions which may help with the children’s learning and understanding.

Children in my care are encouraged to develop a healthy respect and attitude of each other’s differences and to value everyone as an individual.

Special Educational Needs

Some children have special needs and therefore it is important to ensure the appropriate action is taken when a child is identified as having special needs or starts in my care. I will ensure the welfare and development of the child in partnership with the parents and other relevant agencies is promoted.

If I think a child in my care has a special need, I will:

• Keep observational notes.
• Share these with the child's parents.
• Discuss what support is available.
• Keep all matters confidential.

If I am caring for a child with special needs, I will include them by:

• Valuing and acknowledging children's individuality and help them to feel good about themselves.
• Obtain information from parents about the child's routines, likes and dislikes.
• Adapt activities to enable children with special needs to take part.
• Arrange access to specialist equipment if needed.
• Consider any risk factors.
• Encourage children's confidence and independence.
• Where necessary, I will undertake training and seek advice from other professionals to provide quality care.

I will work in partnership with parents and discuss:

• Agencies that are also involved in the child's support and care.
• Equipment that the child may need.
• Advice or support that will help me to provide the best care possible for their child.

I will consider how I can ensure the privacy of a child with special needs whilst continuing to supervise other children in my care.

The Equality Act 2010

I will not discriminate against a child or parent with a disability, and where possible will accept a child with a disability into my care. I will make reasonable adjustments to my setting to cater for the child’s needs.

Under the Equality Act I have a duty:

• not to treat a disabled child ‘less favourably’
• to make ‘reasonable adjustment’ for a disabled child

The Disability Rights Commission Telephone number is 0808 800 0082.