Valuing diversity in your setting

Valuing and celebrating diversity is especially important as it introduces cultures and customs that children may not yet have been exposed to.

Valuing and celebrating diversity is especially important as it introduces cultures and customs that children may not have been exposed to yet.

Embedding cultures and diversity within an early years and childcare setting can help children understand similarities and differences. This equips them with the tools to embrace the values they need to grow into compassionate and thoughtful adults.  

"The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) seeks to provide equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring that every child is included and supported. Early years providers must promote equality of opportunity and make reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of all children. Creating an ethos of equality involves being aware of how all the practices and environments in an early years setting appear through the lens of each unique child and their family."

(The EYFS statutory framework)

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) area of learning 'knowledge and understanding of the world' states "understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community." It is important for early years settings to ensure that their environment and curriculum reflects the cohort of children attending as well as giving children opportunities to broaden their experience in a meaningful way.

One of the 4 guiding principles of the EYFS statutory framework is that “every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.” By engaging all children in culturally responsive experiences we know that their awareness and inclusion of diverse cultures and beliefs increases.

Celebrate diversity in your setting

Providing children with a safe and supportive environment within early years enables them to be themselves, feel accepted and teach others to be accepting and kind to everyone, regardless of their background.

  • Ensure all staff provide an inclusive welcome to every child and family. Consider how families with different backgrounds and needs might feel upon arrival, factoring in accessibility, the environment, the information you share with them, and staff responses.

    Gather information about the child and their family before they start, including family structure, languages, ethnicity, and faith. Some families may be hesitant to share personal details, so be positive about diversity and explain how sharing this information supports their child.

  • Celebrate each child's unique background by encouraging families to share their traditions, customs, and practices. Use culturally diverse stories, displays, toys, and books that reflect a range of ethnicities and characteristics.

    Ensure you review the content of all books, resources and materials to check for hidden messages and any harmful stereotypes. This will also help you to foster a community of inclusion and teach the value of diversity.

  • Use inclusive, respectful language that acknowledges all gender identities, avoiding stereotypes or biases. Challenge stereotypes and address unconscious bias when observed.  
     
    If a racist or non-inclusive statement is made, don’t ignore it. Use it as an opportunity to discuss your ethos as an early years and childcare provider and model positive messaging surrounding diversity and inclusivity.

  • Provide ongoing staff training on diversity and multicultural education. Ensure staff understand and can implement these values, creating an open space for discussion and reflection. Encourage staff to use everyday moments to celebrate diversity in their interactions with children.

  • Use music, food, and arts to introduce children to different cultures. Music can transcend language barriers, making it a fun way to engage with diverse sounds and rhythms. Similarly, explore global cuisines and arts and crafts from around the world to foster cultural awareness, integrating these experiences into meaningful learning activities.

  • Visit local places of worship to expose children to different religious traditions. Many places welcome visitors, offering a chance to learn about various cultures and faiths in an engaging way. 

Translation websites and tools

There is a range of tools, apps and websites that can support you with translation to support families. Using these can support communication but you should be aware that translation is not always accurate. We cannot recommend specific websites or tools.

Further information and support

Although they don’t work directly with early years and childcare providers, the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service are a source of information, support and training.