Standard 14: Identity and Belonging
Promoting positive identities and a strong sense of belonging requires clearly defined policies, procedures and practice that empower every child and adult to develop a confident self- and groupidentity, and to have a positive understanding and regard for the identity and rights of others.
Component 14.1 | Component 14.2 | Component 14.3
Component 14.1 - The setting has written records of all policies, procedures and practice regarding the promotion of positive identities and a strong sense of belonging within the setting, and makes them available to all stakeholders.
See 10.1
Which of your policies and procedures relate to the promotion of positive identities and belonging in the best interests of children?
Anti-discrimination/anti-bias
How do these policies and procedures impact upon practice?
Range of stakeholders involved in the process of formulating these policies and procedures See 4.1
Processes to review and update these policies and procedures
Ensuring that everybody understands and follows these policies and procedures
Component 14.2 - The setting promotes a confident self - and group-identity through the provision of an appropriate environment, experiences and interactions within the setting.
See 2.5 / 2.6 See 5.5
How does your home environment reflect and promote the culture and background of all the children present?
Images of family/community life (e.g., photos, posters, children's drawings, etc.)
Toys (e.g., cooking utensils, dress up box, small world toys, etc.)
Avoiding the depiction of stereotypical role models and cultural images (e.g., gender, culture, age, ability, etc.)
Avoiding bias (e.g., gender, colour, race, religious affiliation, family structure, socio-economic status, etc.) within activities
How do the experiences you provide for the child promote a confident group- and self-identity?
Encouraging staff to become aware of their own beliefs, values and attitudes to diversity See 5.5 See 11.2
Responsiveness and sensitivity of adults to the identity and rights of all children within the setting See 1.1 See 5.2
Language (e.g., Irish language, first language of the child, materials/information available in the first language of the family, promoting communication between English and non-English speaking children, strategies to encourage children to express themselves verbally and non-verbally, ensuring each child's name is known and pronounced correctly, etc.) See 5.2
Strategies in place to support and maintain the first language of the child while she/he is learning an additional language (e.g., training/staff resource library, signs and labels in the first language, contact with families, etc.)
Raising awareness around different ways of life (e.g., family configuration, types of housing, geographical locations, etc.)
Celebrations (e.g., birthdays, festivals, important events in the child's life, etc.)
Encouraging and supporting parents to share aspects of their culture or background with all within the setting (e.g., food recipes, story-telling, customs and culture, etc.) See 3.2
Ensuring that assessment techniques are free from cultural and gender bias See 7.6
In what ways do you promote high self-esteem among the children?
Security in relationships See 9.6
Promoting a sense of belonging
Preventing discrimination/bullying See 5.6
Providing purpose and responsibility for children See 1.2
Developing competence
How does the setting counteract discriminatory words or actions? See 5.6
Identifying and empathising with children and adults affected by discrimination and racism
Encouraging staff to discuss difficult situations
Supporting adults and children to overcome difficult experiences in relation to racism and discrimination
Engagement in ongoing professional development See 11.4
What elements of your practice promote respect and understanding of difference in the following areas?
Membership of the Traveller community
Family background
Component 14.3 - The setting promotes positive understanding and regard for the identity and rights of others through the provision of an appropriate environment, experiences and interactions within the setting.
How does your home environment promote positive understanding and regard for the identity and rights of others?
How do the ongoing experiences of the child within the setting promote positive understanding and regard for the identity and rights of others?
Becoming aware of your own beliefs, values and attitudes to diversity within the setting See 5.5 See 11.2
Responsiveness and sensitivity of adults to the identity and rights of all children See 1.1 See 5.2
Language (e.g., Irish language, first language of the child, materials/information available in the first language of the family, promoting communication between English and non-English speaking children, strategies to encourage children to express themselves verbally and non-verbally, ensuring each child's name is known and pronounced correctly, etc.)
Strategies in place to support and maintain the first language of the child while she/he is learning an additional language (e.g., training, accessing resources/information, contact with families, etc.) See 5.2
Encouraging and supporting parents to share aspects of their culture or background (e.g., food recipes, story-telling, customs and culture, etc.) See 3.2
How do you counteract discriminatory words or actions? See 5.6
Identifying and empathising with children affected by discrimination and racism
Encouraging discussion on difficult situations
Engagement of ongoing professional development See 11.4
What elements of your practice promotes respect and understanding of difference in the following areas?