While racism exists in wider society it cannot be said to be inclusive. The same is true of early years provision. Racism usually means all those attitudes, practices and procedures that, both historically and in the present, disadvantage and discriminate against people because of their skin colour, ethnicity, culture, religion, nationality or language.
Inclusive practice dictates that we encourage all young children to respect and value difference and that we take careful and positive steps to counter any negative attitudes or behaviour. Heavy-handed, manipulative or punitive strategies have no place in an inclusive approach.
Children learn their attitudes, values and behaviour from the adults around them, so all practitioners carry the responsibility to act as positive role models in this respect. Settings need to ensure that their policies, curriculum and resources reflect the diversity within society and that they truly welcome and accept all children and their families.
The implications of the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 are that early years and childcare settings need to examine all their existing policies, procedures and practices and assess whether they promote racial equality in all they do. They also need to devise a strategy to evaluate the impact of all they do on children and their families in the area, and whether they might advantage or disadvantage families from particular racial groups. Settings have a responsibility to take advice form their local authority and attend any anti-racism training provided by it and ensure that all members of staff understand that the law is important.
Putting together a strategy for your setting may not seem an easy task. The first step is to encourage team members to talk about the issues, including their anxieties and misgivings.
Today's young children will inherit a complex and diverse society, and if we want to do our best by them we also need to be committed to a just and fairer society in which each individual can fulfil their potential and enjoy their right to belong.
More information
- http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/search/earlyyears/resu lts/nav:46364
- www.ncb.org.uk/ecu_network/bvn/home.aspx
- http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/170378
- www.equalityhumanrights.com/
- www.focus-consultancy.co.uk/site/think.htm
- www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/research/publications/surestartpubli cations/1280/
- www.multiverse.ac.uk/viewArticle.aspx?contentId=487
- www.multiverse.ac.uk/Browse2.aspx?anchorId=160&selectedId=643
- Equality & Diversity, Part 5: Race and ethnicity (Nursery World, 28 January 2010)
Mary Dickins is an early years consultant (All Together Consultancy/London Met. University)