Celebrating diversity in an early years setting does not just mean putting up displays about different religious festivals. It involves ensuring that staff members are not discriminated against.
In the UK the major Christian festivals of Christmas and Easter are public holidays, but what happens when nursery staff who are, say, Hindu or Muslim want to take time off for Diwali or Eid?
Such issues are covered by the Employment Equality Religion or Belief Regulation. According to Simon Bevan, head of the education employment team at solicitors Veale Wasbrough, 'Common sense is the principal requirement.
'Employers need to apply sound common sense, consult staff and consider requests. The employer needs to be reasonable in considering requests, but obviously has to take into account the needs of the business, for example in maintaining ratios.
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