Equality, diversity and inclusion policy and equality duty review exemplar and guidance (EYFS)

All Early Years and Childcare (EYFS) settings should ensure that a child’s right to be heard and feel included is at the heart of their practice.

"The EYFS seeks to provide quality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring that every child is included and support" (EYFS 2023)

All providers have a responsibility to ensure positive attitudes to diversity and difference. Not only so that every child is included and not disadvantaged, but also so that they learn from the earliest age to value diversity in others and grow up making a positive contribution to society.

In order to ensure inclusive practice, providers should develop their ethos, policies and practices with the aim of meeting individual needs of children and young people. To help to ensure inclusivity providers must be proactive at removing the factors which act as barriers to inclusion such as negativity, bias and stereotyping. It takes a whole team approach to develop positive attitudes, implement clear strategies and nurture collaborative approaches.

Early years and childcare settings are well placed to provide a safe environment where parents, staff and children can learn about each other’s differences and similarities and learn to empathise and value each other.