Standard 18 'Promote children's rights, equality, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice in all aspects of their practice'
High expectations
Standard 18, 'Promote children's rights, equality, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice in all aspects of their practice', sits within the section 'Effective Practice'. This section contains 13 standards, which outline how EYPs must demonstrate, through their practice and by leading and supporting others, that they have high expectations of all children.
This can be demonstrated by providing balanced and flexible routines that help children develop and learn, and by creating a safe environment to promote children's health, safety and physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Respecting other cultures
Standard 18 highlights how EYPs will plan practice to meet the needs of all children, promote and uphold children's rights and actively promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. To meet this standard, EYPs must ensure that no child is excluded or disadvantaged because of ethnicity, culture or religion, language, family background, special educational needs, disability, gender or ability, and that positive attitudes to diversity are promoted. EYPs should encourage children to appreciate and respect their own and other cultures.
EYP candidates can demonstrate this standard in their own practice by showing how they would target support to remove barriers to participation and learning which some children from ethnic minority groups or those with a disability and/or special educational needs may experience. For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, this may involve planning for their inclusion in all activities - for example, by providing additional support from adults, adapting activities or environments, offering alternative activities, or using specialist aids and equipment.
Open dialogue
EYP candidates should also show they can lead and support colleagues to promote children's rights, equality and inclusion. For example, some candidates may be able to show that when children's rights have been infringed they have advised colleagues about how they should act themselves and to whom matters should be referred. Some may have evidence of working with colleagues and professionals from other agencies to remove barriers to learning and development, while others may have led team discussions on the nature and avoidance of stereotypes and discrimination.
Standard 18 must be at the heart of all EYPs' practice. This Standard is fundamental in ensuring that EYPS are able to achieve their ambitions for ALL children.
