Learning and Development: Everyone matters

Perry Beeches Nursery School in Birmingham is the first nursery in the UK to receive a UNICEF award for becoming a 'rights respecting school'.

The award recognises that the nursery shows a high commitment to promoting children's rights (see box) and encourages children and staff to respect others. UNICEF assessors commended staff for putting children's rights and related responsibilities at the heart of the nursery's overall vision and for helping children to develop as global citizens.

Nursery head Jackie Lewis says, 'It is vitally important to start raising awareness in the early years because these children are the future.

'The UNICEF rights reflect our whole school philosophy and underpin everything we do. Our children are beginning to understand they are part of a global society where everyone matters.'

This starts from their first days when they are encouraged to feel part of a nursery community. 'If the children can feel part of the nursery then, they can start to feel part of an even bigger community,' she explains. Staff encourage children to take ownership of the nursery by learning to look after their classroom, equipment and resources so they take pride in them.

Meet and greet

Ms Lewis personally greets all the children and parents at 'welcome time' each day. Calm music is played and parents are encouraged to stay for as long as they wish. 'We have a really positive relationship with parents and consider them our friends. They are welcome to talk to staff and discuss issues that are worrying them,' she says.

'Nursery has to be a happy time because children have so many years left of education. If they feel special they can begin to learn and be enthusiastic in learning. If they do not feel valued they will not want to come to nursery and experiment and have a go.'

Great thought has been given to the nursery layout to ensure it is welcoming, calm and encourages children's independence. Furniture is natural wood where possible and there are wicker baskets for child-height storage. 'We aim to give the children time to listen, learn and reflect because children have enough hustle and bustle in their lives. Our work is based around the Reggio philosophy of seeing the environment as the third teacher,' Ms Lewis says.

'The staff were aware of children's rights but now are even more aware. It is easy to get taken along with all the different targets in education. It is also easy to rush the children, but children need time to consolidate and feel secure before they can begin to learn.'

Children are respected and have the opportunity to watch others, rather than being forced to join in. The nursery outdoor area has a wooded corner where children can sit under the trees and chat to friends or just contemplate.

Practice is embedded in the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Everything is sparked by the children's interests and they have plenty of opportunity to make decisions, such as when they would like a drink.

The learning journey

The children's work is displayed to show that it is valued. 'We do not produce big wall friezes but display the children's learning journeys,' Ms Lewis explains. 'The finished article is not the main focus. The children choose the fabric or paint and the focus is the sheer enjoyment of them being creative. There is a lot of collaborative work - we encourage the children to share, talk to each other and co-operate.'

Staff photograph stages of work and write the children's comments underneath to show the learning process. For example, a child saying she is 'adding twinkly bits' to show that she has made a decision and is thinking about what she is doing. These records are made into a book at the end of the year for the individual children and parents to show their learning journey.

Care is taken to provide a non-biased and non-sexist curriculum. Boys and girls are encouraged to push the prams or play with the tractors, for example. Staff select equipment and resources that reflect the local society, such as having European, Afro-Caribbean and Asian dolls, small-world play including characters with special needs and books and signs in the first languages of the families who attend the setting. Religious festivals relevant to the nursery children are celebrated so that they develop a positive attitude to diversity and different beliefs.

An inclusive approach

Children are taught to think about the consequences of their actions. 'The staff don't shout. They talk through everything with the children,' says Ms Lewis. 'When children have disagreements we give them the opportunity to sort them out and an adult supports them. If children have an argument we sit in a group and talk about how someone may have been made to feel and discuss how we can help.'

The nursery has a 'happiness jar' where children place a stone when they have been particularly helpful or thoughtful. When the jar is full the children choose a special activity, such as a teddy bears' picnic, so they can all celebrate together.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

- Every child under the age of 18 has rights and responsibilities that are protected by the UNCRC. The Convention has been signed by every country in the world, except the USA and Somalia. UNICEF states the Convention is needed because:

- Children are individuals and members of families and communities. They have rights and responsibilities appropriate to their age and development.

- Recognising everyone's rights is vital for a world of freedom, justice and peace. Children need special care and protection.

- Families play an important role in society. Children develop best if families give them love, understanding and happiness.

- Children should grow up 'in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity'.

- In all countries of the world some children live in exceptionally difficult conditions. These children need special help.

- Children's cultures and traditions should be protected.

- The world needs to work together to make life better for children in the world's poorest countries.

UNICEF Rights Respecting School Award

For information visit: www.unicef.org.uk

LINKS TO EYFS GUIDANCE
- UC 1.2 Inclusive Practice - equality and diversity and children's
entitlements
- UC 1.3 Keeping Safe - making choices
- PR 2.1 Respecting Each Other - understanding feelings
- PR 2.2 Parents and Partners - respecting diversity
- EE 3.3 The Learning Environment
- L&D 4.1 Play and Exploration

Photos at perry beeches nursery in birmingham, by Andy Fox.