Principles of High Quality Education

These shared principles are based upon a commitment to high quality services in which the welfare of the child is paramount. They take account of the diversity of society and are reflected in the range of provision for children and young people from 0-14.

Settings of high quality will demonstrate the following characteristics.

An emphasis on all children which ensures that:

• Individuality is celebrated, respected and promoted.
• Childhood is valued in its own right and not simply a preparation for adult life.
• There is equality of opportunity and access.
• Children are supported in maximising their potential.
• There are real opportunities for children to make choices and influence decisions.
• Children are helped to make sense of the world and their relationship within it.

A recognition of the wider physical and social community which ensures that:

• The individuality of the family unit is celebrated, respected and promoted.
• There is clarity about the role of the setting within that community.
• The setting understands its contribution to the overall pattern of provision and can support individual choices within that pattern of provision.

This will be demonstrated through:

An environment for learning which is:

• Safe and secure.
• Welcoming and stimulating.
• Comfortable and appropriately spacious.
• Accessible to children and their families.

An approach to organisation and development which has:

• Aims and visions shared and understood by all and effectively implemented.
• The will and the capacity to self review.
• A commitment to best value.
• A commitment to recruitment which promotes safety of appointment.
• A commitment to promoting the participation and development of all adults involved.