Top tips: Inclusion in early years

Inclusion is not optional – practitioners play a key role in making every child feel seen, safe, and celebrated. Here are ten practical tips to help you foster an inclusive environment for everyone.

  1. Get to know each child and their family: Take time to understand each child’s background, language, culture, and abilities
  2. Celebrate differences: Use books, toys, role play resources that represent different cultures, religions, family structures, and abilities. Examples for a home corner may include hijab, sari, diva lamp, prayer rug, chopsticks and bowls and imitation or real fruit and veg from around the world, etc.
  3. Use inclusive language: Use language that is respectful and affirming of all identities, for example, “Everyone can wear what makes them feel happy and confident.” Likewise, avoid making assumptions about families or gender, such as, “Ask your mummy or daddy to sign this.” Instead, say “Ask your grown-up at home to sign this.”
  4. Be culturally aware at mealtimes: Respect dietary needs and include dishes or ingredients from various cultures
  5. Engage with families: Encourage family involvement in all aspects of the nursery, listen to families and their ideas, and use communication methods that suit families to ensure accessibility for all
  6. Be mindful of bias: Reflect on your own beliefs and possible unconscious biases. Engage in conversations with others and look out for training in this area
  7. Support children to be empathetic and understanding: Create storytelling opportunities that help children to understand other perspectives and experiences. Source books and read stories that promote inclusivity and kindness. Invite parents to share their culture and language
  8. Ensure every voice counts: Check that quieter children, or those with communication differences, are included in group activities and any decision making that impacts them
  9. Differentiate learning: Adapt activities to suit different learning styles, abilities, and needs so that every child can access all that is on offer
  10. Staff training/CPD: Provide staff training on inclusion, anti-racism, and support for additional needs. Encourage staff to reflect and share knowledge and experience.
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Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials must always be appropriate for children’s age and stage of development.

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