Equal Opportunities Policy
Equal Opportunities Policy
The Playbox is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all children and families in accordance with all relevant legislation, including
– Equality Act 2010
– Children Act 1989 and 2004 Every Child Matters
– Special Educational Needs & Disability Act 2014
– The Children Act 2016
Admissions
We believe that the groups activities should be open to all children and families, and to all adults committed to their welfare. We aim to ensure that all who wish to work in, or volunteer to help with, our group have an equal chance to do so.
The Playbox is open to every family in the community.
The needs of each individual child and family will be taken into consideration when accepting children from the waiting list.
Employment
The Playbox will appoint the best person for each job and will treat fairly all applicants for jobs and all those appointed. Please also read Safer Recruitment Policy.
This is regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation
Commitment to implementing the groups Equal Opportunities Policy will form part of the job description for all workers.
Finance
The Playbox recognises that many different types of family successfully love and care for children. We offer a flexible payment system for families with differing means.
Festivals
Our aim is to show a respectful awareness of all the major events in the lives of the children and families in the group, and in our society as a whole, and to welcome the diversity of backgrounds from which they come.
In order to achieve this, we aim to acknowledge all the festivals which are celebrated by the families involved in The Playbox. The children will be encouraged to welcome a range of different festivals, together with stories, celebrations and special food and clothing they involve, as part of the diversity of life – with the appropriate advice sought from people to whom the festival is a familiar one.
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from such activities by prior notification
The Curriculum
All children will be respected and their individuality and potential recognised, valued and nurtured. Activities and the use of play equipment offer children opportunities to develop in an environment free from prejudice and discrimination. Appropriate opportunities will be given to children to explore, acknowledge and value similarities and differences between themselves and others.
Resources
These will be chosen to give children a balanced view of the world and an appreciation of the rich diversity of our multi-racial society.
Materials will be selected to help children to develop their self-respect by avoiding stereotypes.
Special Needs
The Playbox recognises the wide range of special needs of children and families in the community, and will consider what part it can play in meeting these needs.
Planning for group meetings and events will take into account the needs of people with disabilities.
Discriminatory behaviour
This will be unacceptable at The Playbox.
Language
Information, written and spoken will be clearly communicated in as many languages as necessary.
Bilingual / multilingual children and adults are an asset. They will be valued and their languages recognised and respected in The Playbox.
Food
Medical, cultural and dietary needs will be met – as identified on the registration form.
Meetings
The time, place and conduct of meetings will aim to ensure that all families have an equal opportunity to be involved in the running of The Playbox.
This policy was reviewed & updated at a meeting of The Playbox committee held on 6th May 2025
Signed Chairperson: Jane Sharp
