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The four fundamental values are embedded within the EYFS curriculum. These are some of the ways we promote them:

 

Democracy: making decisions together

• We encourage children to see their role in the bigger picture, encouraging children to know their views count, value others’ views and values and talk about their feelings, for example when they do or do not need help. When appropriate we 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.

• We support the decisions that children make and provide activities that involve turn-taking, sharing and collaboration.

• Children are given opportunities to develop enquiring minds in an atmosphere where questions are valued.

 

Rule of law: understanding rules matter

• We ensure children understand their own and others’ behaviour and its consequences, and learn to distinguish right from wrong.

• We collaborate with children to create the rules and the codes of behaviour, for example, to agree the rules about tidying up and ensure that all children understand rules apply to everyone.

 

Individual liberty: freedom for all

• We support children to develop a positive sense of themselves and provide opportunities 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.

• We encourage a range of experiences that allow children to explore the language of feelings and responsibility, reflect on their differences and understand we are free to have different opinions, for example in a small group discuss what they feel about transferring into Reception class.

 

Mutual respect and tolerance: treat others as you want to be treated

• We aim to create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued and children are engaged with the wider community.

• We support children to acquire a tolerance and appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures; know about similarities and differences between themselves and others and among families, faiths, communities, cultures and traditions and share and discuss practices, celebrations and experiences.

• We encourage and explain the importance of tolerant behaviours such as sharing and respecting others’ opinions

• We 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.