Case Study

You have been asked to help a colleague with an activity in which the children are to make Mother’s Day cards. There are six children who have not yet made their cards and as you sit down to assist you realise that there are six sets of materials laid out. You are aware that one of the children comes from a family where the parents are two women. You mention to your colleague that in line with your setting’s diversity and inclusion policy you will need an extra set of materials as Susan has two mothers. Your colleague disagrees and says that the setting’s equality policy means that all the children have to be treated equally and if she were to let this child make two cards, she would have to let all the children make two cards.

1. How would you respond to your colleague’s interpretation of your setting’s equality policy?
2. How might your colleague’s actions and your subsequent public discussion affect the children in the group?
3. How could you ensure the make-up of a child’s family is taken into consideration when planning activities?

It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the responses you have to the above scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague or friend and ask them to tell you whether they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your assessor.