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Promoting inclusion within our nurseries is one of our leading priorities across all of our Kids Planet and Kids Allowed settings. Inclusion is essential in nurseries to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to learn and develop in a safe and supportive environment that adapts to their individual physical, emotional and mental needs.
In this blog, we are taking a closer look at why inclusion in daycare nurseries is important and the many benefits that it brings:
Inclusion means ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, ability or differences, are valued and treated equally. For Kids Planet, this means creating nursery environments that welcome and embrace diversity, where each child (and parent) feels valued, respected, and supported.
An inclusive nursery gives every child an equal opportunity to participate and contribute, regardless of their differences, and in doing so meets each child’s unique needs and interests, and encourages them to develop to their full potential.
However, inclusion goes beyond simply accepting diversity; it is about actively promoting it. This involves taking proactive steps to ensure that everyone has access to the same resources, opportunities, and support.
This means adapting environments or activities to accommodate different needs or preferences, providing additional resources or training to support children with different abilities, or actively seeking out and including diverse perspectives in decision-making processes.
We promote diversity and inclusion in many different ways across all of our Kids Allowed and Kids Planet settings. Every aspect of our practices and your child’s care will be influenced by our aim to include every child, no matter their ability, background or needs.
We have a SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator) based at each of our settings to provide specialist support to children and families who have special educational needs.
We also have a passionate SEND team who are there to provide support, advice and guidance to the nursery SENDCo’s, which is particularly important when supporting children with unique needs. The team strives to ensure every child has the best possible start in life, and we work alongside parents and carers to meet the children’s individual needs and provide equal opportunities for them. Learn more about our additional support team here.
No matter which settings you choose to enrol in, you can rest assured knowing that your children’s dietary needs will be met. Whether your child has a specific dietary requirement, is lactose intolerant, or has allergies our fully qualified, on-site chefs will always accommodate your child’s needs during snack and meal times.
All of our meals are planned, prepped and cooked freshly each day across all of our nurseries, making use of seasonal fruits and vegetables to broaden your child’s food preferences and encourage a healthy relationship with food. You can learn more about our nutritious food here.
When planning and organising activities, our practitioners always ensure that each child is able to participate. Doing this breaks down barriers that some children may have previously faced and allows them to join their peers, grow in confidence and aid their development.
Kids Planet uses culturally rich stories, poems and room displays across our nurseries which raise awareness about different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs, and promotes feelings of inclusion and community.
Children have access to a range of resources and displays that teach them about the world they live in and encourage conversations about other people, cultures and ethnicities. We always challenge stereotypes and use positive messaging to promote inclusivity and diversity at a young age.
No two family dynamics are the same and we recognise, support and celebrate all families and encourage children to be their authentic selves. Whether we’re celebrating Pride Month and raising money for LGBTQ+ charities or answering children’s day-to-day questions, we make sure that children from all families feel supported and included.
As a group, we are proactive in our aim to improve diversity within our workforce. One of our biggest missions is to increase the percentage of male nursery workers and practitioners within our settings. With only 3% of men working in nurseries nationally, there is a clear gender inequality which leads to children lacking male role models within nursery settings.
We partnered with the Fatherhood Institute, a highly respected non-profit organisation that is known for the Men in the Early Years campaign, and since collaborating, we have been recruiting and supporting men who wish to train and work in the early years sector.
As we’ve mentioned, inclusion in all forms is hugely important in nursery settings as it helps break down stereotypes and bias, educates children on the world around them and the different people they’ll meet and promotes kind and positive language about others.
An inclusive environment ensures that all children are given the same opportunities to learn and develop. Children from different backgrounds and with varying abilities may require different types of support, but this does not mean that they should be excluded from certain activities.
Inclusive nursery settings ensure that all children are given equal access regardless of their background or ability. This can be achieved by adapting teaching methods and materials to suit the needs of each child, providing additional support when needed, and promoting an environment where all children are encouraged to participate.
It also promotes a sense of community and belonging. Children who feel included are more likely to form positive relationships with their peers, which can lead to increased social skills and self-confidence.
In a nursery setting, this can be achieved by encouraging children to participate in group activities and providing opportunities for children to work together. This can also be achieved by celebrating diversity and promoting cultural awareness. When children feel valued for who they are, they are more likely to feel included in the community and develop a sense of belonging.
Children who are exposed to diversity from a young age are more likely to develop empathy and understanding towards others. Inclusive nursery settings provide opportunities for children to interact with children from different backgrounds and with different abilities.
This can help children to develop an understanding of diversity and to appreciate the unique qualities of others. In turn, this can lead to increased social skills and a more positive outlook on life.
Stereotypes and biases are often formed at a young age and can be difficult to change. Inclusive nursery settings provide opportunities for children to interact with children from different backgrounds and with different abilities. This can help to break down stereotypes and biases and promote a more accepting and open-minded society.
Children who feel included and supported are more likely to have positive mental health outcomes. Settings that encourage inclusivity can promote positive mental health by providing a safe and supportive environment where children feel valued and encouraged to participate. This can help to reduce feelings of isolation and promote a sense of belonging.
You can find your nearest Kids Planet nursery setting using our Find a Nursery tool. You can view our nurseries both inside and out using our virtual tour interactive videos or book a visit using the contact details on the nursery location page.
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