Choice and Diversity

Southampton is a city rich in diversity.  The Southampton Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership values this diversity and supports the development of high quality, affordable, accessible and diverse provision.  All childcare providers are supported by training and advice to reflect the diversity in the city giving parents real choice.  Providers are encouraged to constantly develop and review their policies, look at their recruitment and training of staff, their resources and equipment, their information, the environment and activities for the children, their advertising and marketing and how they involve parents.

Children are welcomed and valued and are encouraged to value and respect each other.  Childcare providers will work hard to challenge inequality and discrimination and to encourage positive behaviour.  This is to make sure that no child and family should be excluded or disadvantaged because of their race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, HIV status, age or poverty. This is what we mean by "inclusive".

All childcare settings will have a person responsible for equal opportunities to make sure that all children have equal access and feel welcome and valued in their setting. Settings can also arrange for an interpreter to support families where english is not thier home language. If you need help with translation or interpretation, Access to Communication is able to help.

You can contact Access to Communication on 023 8024 1300.