Early Years Minister has welcomed guidance aimed
at creating an anti-racist culture in childcare settings in Wales
during a launch event in North Wales.
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 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'.
She added: “As we make inroads in our commitment to anti-racist
leadership and professional learning across childcare, playwork
and early years, there are examples of excellent work emerging in
our field, but there is still much to do to improve experiences
and outcomes future generations in their most malleable years in
readiness for lifelong learning.
“The toolkit offers useful starting points leading to whole team
engagement with DARPL resources, continuums and consultations.”
Gwenllian Lansdown- Davies from Cwlwm added:
“This practical toolkit will be useful for all childcare, play
and early years settings as they embed anti-racism within their
practice. This will benefit children and the enabling adults
working with them.”
Notes to editors
The toolkit comprises of advice and guidance about:
- Governance and leadership
- Setting floor/environment
- Parents and carers
- Professional learning
- Early childhood play, learning and care; curriculum, pedagogy
and practice
