What do we mean by inclusion?

Introduction

A child’s right Everyone

taking part –

being included

and participating Without

discrimination

What do we

mean by inclusion?

What do we mean by inclusion?

Inclusion is the law!

States that our aim should be to promote access for all children to same range of services

Children Act 2004

Set up in April 2000 to oversee the legislation

Disability Rights Commission

By law, children’s services are required to show they are planning and acting to remove barriers to discrimination

Law designed to end discriminationDisability

Discrimination Act 1995

What do we mean by inclusion?

Inclusive play in early years settings

• Welcoming and diverse – celebrating diversity and differences

• Play environments which develop according to the interests of the children

• The practitioner is an ideal role model for an inclusive approach

What do we mean by inclusion?

Barriers to inclusive practice

Attitudes and assumptions The fear that children with additional needs require

experts and special provision The stereotype that children with additional needs

need to be cared for and always need one-to-one support

Physical barriers, e.g. access Sensory barriers, e.g. lighting, acoustics

What do we mean by inclusion?

Ways to make an inclusive approach work

Visit an inclusive setting Experiment with new ideas and ways of presenting

resources Accept that practitioners need to do things

differently Training, to increase awareness of methods and

approaches for responding to the individual needs of children

Establish systems of support for practitioners

What do we mean by inclusion?

Best practice provision

Recognise the child’s individual needs Give the child choice and control Promote the child’s well-being and health Promote the child’s independence and self-esteem Balance the need to offer risk with the need to

protect from harm

What do we mean by inclusion?

A welcoming and inclusive environment

A welcoming and inclusive environment is… welcoming of ALL children.

What do we mean by inclusion?

A welcoming and inclusive environment

Physical challenge is provided by stimulation of the five senses:

• light and shade• reflections• textures• sounds.

What do we mean by inclusion?

A welcoming and inclusive environment

Risk and challenge is provided by testing and expanding ability:

• building confidence• continuity between outdoors

and indoors• atmosphere of acceptance• flexibility.

Result? A happy setting where every child’s needs are met.