At Brookside we recoqnise each child is unique and we encourage children to embrace their individuality.  We promote a culture which values and celebrates diversity in relation to all children, practitioners, visitors and our families.  Our aim is to help children develop positive attitudes to diversity and difference and to grow up making a positive contribution to society.

 

Our learning around equality and diversity involves helping children to first recognise their own identity then diversity within their own environment and wider society.  At pre-school we offer multi-sensory learning opportunities to offer children a rich experience of cultural celebrations all year round.  This involves food tasting, art, dance, literature, discussion, dressing up and role play. We involve our families in celebrations and welcome those who want to share their knowledge and experiences with the children.

 

Everybody has the opportunity to be included and achieve to the best of their potential at Brookside.  Practitioners have strong relationships with the children and are able to recognise individual needs.  This allows practitioners to adapt their teaching and practice to ensure everybody is included and have their needs met. 

 

At Brookside we use basic Makaton with all children during key group time and within our daily routine.  This supports inclusion for children with communication and language difficulties along with promoting a language friendly setting for all children.

 

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

At Brookside we we recognise that every child develops and learns in unique ways and for some children this might be quite different from their peers.  We celebrate children’s strengths and offer support which is tailored to their unique interests and needs. 

In order to support children with SEND to achieve to the best of their potential we work in close partnership with parents and other professionals.

 

Brookside believe inclusion is essential to all children but particularly those with additional needs. Children are supported by caring and supportive adults to engage with daily routine and group times. This could range from use of additional resources, one to one support, visuals, or an adaptation to the activity to support individual needs. 

 

Each child with SEND has their own additional support plan which sets achievable targets for the child. We build up strong relationships with parents and support them through a journey of recognising their child’s strengths and needs, supporting their aspirations for their child’s future, sign posting to other agencies and supporting transition to school.