Celebrating difference in the Early Years Foundation Stage
Tuesday 5th December 2017
This month Stonewall have published a new guide for early years providers, Getting Started: Celebrating Difference and Challenging Gender Stereotypes in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
While significant progress has been made in recent years, anti-LGBT bullying remains widespread in Britain’s primary and secondary schools. To truly address this problem, we need to tackle it at its root and support young people to develop inclusive attitudes from an early age.
A vital way to do this is to celebrate difference, including LGBT people, and proactively challenge gender stereotypes in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Not only is this the right thing to do, but it is a legal requirement and something that Ofsted assesses in its inspections.
Drawing on the fantastic work being done by Education Champions and School Champions across the country, Getting Started provides a clear roadmap for early years providers to create an inclusive environment where every child can thrive. It outlines how providers can meet and exceed their Ofsted and legal requirements in this area, and features ideas, tips and case studies for inspiration.
This guide can be used by all private, voluntary, independent, maintained or academy childcare providers between birth and five years, including childminders, preschools, nurseries, school nursery classes and reception classes.
