Statement of intent

Falcon British Nursery takes great care to treat each individual as a person in their own right, with equal rights and responsibilities to any other individual, whether they are an adult or a child. The nursery is committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families according to their individual needs. Discrimination on the grounds of age, race, religion or belief, marriage, disability, ethnic or national origin, or political belief has no place within this nursery as long as it does not affect the safety of the children and the running of the nursery as a centre of excellence.

A commitment to implementing our inclusion and equality policy will form part of each employee’s job description. Should anyone believe that this policy is not being upheld, it is their duty to report the matter to the attention of the prinicipal at the earliest opportunity. Appropriate steps will then be taken to investigate the matter and if such concerns are well-founded, disciplinary action will be invoked under the nursery’s disciplinary policy against the staff member.

The legal framework for this policy refers to parts of the:

  • Equality Act 2010
  • Children Act 2004
  • Care Standards Act 2002
  • Childcare Act 2006
  • Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001.
  • UAE labour law
  • UAE Ministry requirements

The nursery and staff are committed to:

  • Recruiting, selecting, training and promoting individuals on the basis of occupational skills requirements, alignment with the mission, vision and values of Falcon British Nursery and on their ability to improve their environment, the team and the school. In this respect, the nursery will ensure that no job applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, marriage, race, religion or belief, which cannot be justified as being necessary for the safe and effective performance of their work or training.
  • Providing a childcare place, wherever possible, for children who may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities or are deemed disadvantaged according to their individual circumstances, and the nursery’s ability to provide the necessary standard of care for the learning experience of other children in the nursery.
  • Making reasonable adjustments for children with special educational needs and disabilities
  • Striving to promote equal access to services and projects by taking practical steps (wherever possible and reasonable), such as ensuring access to people with additional needs and by producing media for all children and their families
  • Providing a secure environment in which all our children can flourish and all contributions are valued
  • Including and valuing the contribution of all families to our understanding of equality, inclusion and diversity
  • Providing positive non-stereotypical information
  • Continually improving our knowledge and understanding of issues of equality, inclusion and diversity
  • Regularly reviewing, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of inclusive practices to ensure they promote and value diversity and difference and that the policy is effective and practices are non-discriminatory
  • Making inclusion a thread, which runs through the entirety of the nursery, for example, by encouraging positive role models through the use of toys, imaginary play and activities, promoting non-stereotypical images and language and challenging all discriminatory behaviour

Admissions/service provision

The nursery is accessible to all children and families in the local community and further afield through a comprehensive and inclusive admissions policy. We are non-selective.

The nursery will strive to ensure that all services and projects are accessible and relevant to all groups and individuals in the community within targeted age groups.

Recruitment

All members of human resources will be committed to the inclusive practice set out in this policy and will have received appropriate understanding on inclusive practice in this regard.

At interview, no questions will be posed which potentially discriminate on the grounds specified in the statement of intent. All candidates will be asked the same questions and members of the selection group will not introduce nor use any personal knowledge of candidates acquired outside the selection process. All unsuccessful candidates will receive notice by the human resources team.

Staff

It is the policy of Falcon British Nursery not to discriminate in the treatment of individuals. All staff are expected to co-operate with the implementation, monitoring and improvement of this and other policies. All staff are expected to use language that resolves issues in a productive way. All staff are expected to treat children and other members of staff with respect. All staff are expected to challenge language, actions, behaviours and attitudes which are oppressive or discriminatory on the grounds specified in this policy. All staff are expected not to gossip or degrade staff or the environment in which they work thereby creating disharmony and a damaging and detrimental working atmosphere for other staff members in addition to it being against the law of the UAE to spread rumours and negativity in the workplace. All staff are expected to expected to bring any such actions to the principal immediately. All staff are expected to recognise and celebrate other cultures and traditions. All staff are expected to participate in equality and inclusion training.

Staff will follow the whistleblowing policy where applicable to report any discriminatory behaviours observed.

Training

The nursery recognises the importance of training as a key factor in the implementation of an effective inclusion and equality policy. All new staff members receive induction training including specific reference to the inclusion and equality policy by the HR manager. The nursery will strive towards the provision of inclusion, equality and diversity training a part of the staff policy review by HR for all staff on an annual basis.

Early learning framework

Early learning opportunities offered in the nursery encourage children to develop positive attitudes to people who are different from them. It encourages children to empathise with others and to begin to develop the skills of critical thinking.

We do this by:

  • Making children feel valued and good about themselves
  • Ensuring that all children have equal access to early learning and play opportunities
  • Reflecting the widest possible range of communities in the choice of resources
  • Avoiding stereotypical or derogatory images in the selection of materials
  • Acknowledging and celebrating a wide range of festivals
  • Creating an environment of mutual respect and empathy
  • Helping children to understand that discriminatory behaviour and remarks are unacceptable
  • Helping children to use expressive language in a productive way to resolve issues
  • Ensuring that all early learning opportunities offered are inclusive of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children from disadvantaged backgrounds
  • Ensuring that children whose first language is not English have full access to early learning opportunities and are supported in their learning
  • Working in partnership with all families to ensure they understand the policy and challenge any discriminatory comments made
  • Ensuring the medical, cultural and dietary needs of children are met
  • Helping children to learn about a range of food and cultural approaches to eating at meal times and to respect the differences among them.
  • Supporting parents who need a shadow for their child by providing one from the school if there is availability or giving suggestions where to find a shadow.
  • Supporting children who need support by meeting with external agencies and working with parents, agencies as well as with staff and children for the best possible outcome for the child.

Information and meetings

Information about the nursery, its activities and their children’s development will be given in a variety of ways according to individual needs (verbal and translated to Arabic by the registrar if necessary), to ensure that all parents can access the information they need.

Wherever possible, meetings and feedback will be arranged to give all families options to attend and contribute their ideas about the running of the nursery.
Teaching staff are required to meet with their children’s parents at least once a week in person or by phone to help provide updates on the child and to get feedback from parents. Teachers need to log these telephonic meetings on the teacher call log.