Interact with children in a way that values them and meets their individual needs

Qualification: Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 2.4: Use legislation relating to equality, diversity and inclusive practice
Learning outcome: 4. Be able to work in ways which support equality, diversity and inclusive practice
Assessment criteria: 4.1 Interact with children in a way that values them and meets their individual needs

• The way that you interact with children should promote equlity and inclusion, make them feel valued and meet their individual needs
• Children should feel that they belong in the early years setting. Early Years Pratitioners should also promote belonging to other groups, such as their family’s religion or the local football club
• Children should be encouraged to explore other cultures and religions to promote diversity – this could include rituals, traditions, foods and clothes
• Arrangements should be made for children with special educational needs to have the same opportunities as others (e.g. steps between indoor and outdoor areas may need to be replaced with a ramp so that a child that uses a wheelchair is able flow freely between the two settings as the other children do)
• Prejudice, stereotyping and labelling should be avoided and challenged
• Children should be encouraged to participate in the activities that they wish (e.g. if a boy wishes to play with a doll’s house, they should not be stopped or dissuaded because assigning gender roles is discriminatory)