The Department for Education (DfE) state the statutory requirements for early years providers clearly. The fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs are already implicitly embedded in the 2017 Early Years Foundation Stage.
Separately, the Counter Terrorism and Security Act also places a duty on early years providers “to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism” (the Prevent duty). The duty came into effect from July 2015. Statutory guidance on the duty is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance.
We implement British Values through
- Democracy: making decisions together. As part of the focus on self-confidence and self-awareness as cited in Personal, Social and Emotional Development. We will encourage children to see their role in the bigger picture, encourage them to know their views count, value each other’s views and values and talk about their feelings, for example when they do or do not need help. When appropriate demonstrate democracy in action, for example, children sharing views on what the theme of their role play area could be with a show of hands.
- Rule of law: understanding rules matter. As part of the focus on managing feelings and behaviour as cited in Personal, Social and Emotional Development. We will ensure that children understand their own and others’ behaviour and its consequences, and learn to distinguish right from wrong.
- Individual liberty: freedom for all. As part of the focus on Self-confidence & Self-awareness and People & Communities as cited in Personal Social and Emotional development and Understanding the World. Children should develop a positive sense of themselves. We will provide opportunities for children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase their confidence in their own abilities, for example through allowing children to take risks on an obstacle course, mixing colours, talking about their experiences and learning.
- Mutual respect and tolerance: treat others as you want to be treated. As part of the focus on People & Communities, Managing Feelings & Behaviour and Making Relationships as cited in Personal Social and Emotional development and Understanding the World. Rainbow will create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued and children are engaged with the wider community.
Rainbow will promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes, for example, sharing stories that reflect and value the diversity of children’s experiences and providing resources and activities that challenge gender, cultural and racial stereotyping.