As reported by Welsh Government, Early Years Minister Jayne Bryant introduces new guidance to foster an anti-racist culture in Welsh childcare settings
The toolkit provides clear and practical advice for childcare providers on a range of anti-racist topics. It will be available for those working in childcare, early years and play sectors in Wales.
It was developed by a consortium of five childcare and play partners – Cwlwm – and the Diversity and Anti-Racist Professional Learning organisation (DARPL).
Childcare and playwork settings, Welsh Government, community mentors and a range of individuals with lived experience were also involved in its development.
The toolkit includes practical advice about becoming familiar with the Halo code for afro-textured hair and providing books reflecting the diversity of Wales as part of children’s libraries.
It will provide settings and staff with advice about steps they can take to ensure the environment they create and the provision they offer is anti-racist.
It also supports settings to build relationships with parents and the local communities to promote understanding about people from different backgrounds.
The toolkit reinforces ambitions from the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, which aim to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to high-quality, culturally responsive childcare and educational experiences.
These include specific goals and objectives for both education and childcare settings focused on children, learners of all ages and the workforce.
To support early years practitioners, the Welsh Government has worked in partnership with DARPL and Cwlwm partners to create online anti-racist training for the early years sector, as well as supported a growth in the provision of anti-racist resources available to the sector.
Speaking during a DARPL conference in Llandudno to launch the toolkit, Early Years Minister Jayne Bryant said:
We are striving to ensure that we work to make change across education and childcare.
I’m really pleased to support DARPL and Cwlwm in the launch of the toolkit today, as it is a great addition to the work we are doing to progress our anti-racist Wales action plan goals.
Our work includes embedding anti-racist principles in our curriculum and provision, training educators and practitioners to recognise and challenge their own biases, and creating environments that celebrate diversity and promote inclusion.
We are also working to ensure that our childcare, play and education settings reflect the diverse communities they serve. This includes developing resources that represent and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures within Wales.
On the launch of the toolkit, Founder and Director of DARPL, Chantelle Haughton, said the guide was both ‘practical and supportive’.
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