British Values & Culture Capital

At Scallywags Nursery we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment where every child is supported in their early development. As part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), we actively promote the fundamental British values and support children in building their cultural capital — giving them the best start in life.

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How We Promote British Values

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The fundamental British values are:

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1. Democracy

   • We encourage children to make choices and have their voices heard in everyday activities.

   • Group discussions and voting on things like stories, songs, or activities help children understand fairness and shared decision-making.

2. Rule of Law

   • We help children understand right from wrong through clear boundaries and consistent routines.

   • Positive behaviour is encouraged and praised, and children are involved in creating 'golden rules' for their classrooms.

3. Individual Liberty

   • Children are encouraged to express themselves freely and make choices in a safe and supportive environment.

   • We nurture confidence and self-esteem by respecting each child's unique personality and interests.

4. Mutual Respect and Tolerance

   • We celebrate diversity and help children learn about different cultures, beliefs, and traditions through books, themed activities, festivals, and discussions.

   • Children are taught to respect others, share, take turns, and value everyone’s opinions and differences.

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Building Cultural Capital

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Cultural capital is the essential knowledge, skills, and experiences children need to succeed in life. At Scallywags we build cultural capital through:

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• Enriching Experiences
  We provide a wide range of experiences both within the nursery and through our local environment: such as visits to the library, parks, shops, and community events where possible.

• Language and Communication
  We promote rich vocabulary through storytelling, songs, nursery rhymes, role play, and daily conversations.

• Celebrating Diversity
  We embrace and reflect the diverse backgrounds of our children and families, helping children gain a broader understanding of the world.

• Parent and Community Engagement
  We work closely with families to share home cultures and traditions, invite guest speakers, and celebrate various cultural and religious festivals together.

• Preparing for the Future

        Through our play-based curriculum, we provide children with the foundational knowledge and social           skills they need to thrive in school and later life.

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We believe every child deserves the opportunity to flourish in a setting that recognises their individual strengths while preparing them to be thoughtful, respectful, and confident members of society.

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Prevent Duty

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​The Prevent Duty

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At Scallywags Nursery, the safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority. As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, we follow the Prevent Duty, which is a government strategy designed to safeguard children and vulnerable individuals from being drawn into extremism or radicalisation.

The Prevent Duty is part of the wider safeguarding framework that all early year’s settings, schools, healthcare providers, and local authorities are required to follow. It aims to protect children from harmful influences and ensure they grow up in a safe, supportive environment where they can develop their own views and beliefs free from pressure, fear, or discrimination.

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What is Extremism and Radicalisation?

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Extremism is the promotion of views or beliefs that may encourage hatred, intolerance, or violence towards others. Radicalisation is the process by which a person may come to support extremist ideas or groups.

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Although young children are unlikely to fully understand these concepts, they can still be influenced by messages they see or hear, whether online, through social media, television, gaming platforms, or from individuals around them. The Prevent Duty helps professionals recognise potential concerns early and provide support where needed.

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How We Support Children

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At Scallywags nursery, we help children develop the skills they need to become confident, respectful, and thoughtful members of society by:

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• Promoting kindness, respect, and inclusion.

• Celebrating different cultures, faiths, languages, and family backgrounds.

• Encouraging children to express their views and listen to others.

• Helping children understand right and wrong through positive behaviour support.

• Building self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

• Creating a safe environment where children feel valued and heard.

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These approaches support the Fundamental British Values of Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect, and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs.

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How Parents Can Help

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Parents and carers play an important role in helping children develop positive attitudes and values. You can support your child by:

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• Encouraging open conversations and answering questions honestly and appropriately.

• Talking positively about people from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs.

• Helping your child understand the importance of kindness, fairness, and respect.

• Monitoring your child's use of the internet, devices, and online content.

• Taking an interest in what your child watches, plays, and talks about.

• Encouraging critical thinking and helping children understand that people can have different opinions.

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Online Safety

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Children are accessing technology at younger ages than ever before. While the internet offers many opportunities for learning and entertainment, it is important for parents to be aware of online risks. We encourage families to:

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• Use parental controls where appropriate.

• Monitor online activity and screen time.

• Discuss online safety regularly.

• Report any concerning content or behaviour.

• Encourage children to speak to a trusted adult if something online worries or upsets them.

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Working Together

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Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. The Prevent Duty is not about targeting any particular community, religion, or belief. It is about protecting children from harm and ensuring they are able to grow up in an environment that promotes respect, understanding, and positive relationships.

If you have any questions about the Prevent Duty, safeguarding, or online safety, please speak to a member of our nursery team. We are always happy to offer advice, support, and guidance.

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What Should I Do If I Have a Concern?

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If you are worried that a child, young person, family member, or someone you know may be vulnerable to extremist influences or radicalisation, it is important to seek advice and support as early as possible.

Signs of concern may include:

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• Expressing extreme views that promote hatred or intolerance.

• Becoming increasingly isolated from friends or family.

• Showing an unusual fixation on a particular ideology, group, or cause.

• Repeating concerning messages they have heard online or elsewhere.

• Significant changes in behaviour, attitudes, or friendships.

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Having concerns does not mean that someone is involved in extremism. However, early support can help prevent individuals from becoming vulnerable to harmful influences.

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If you have concerns, you can:

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• Speak to the Nursery Manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in confidence.

• Contact your local authority safeguarding team for advice.

• Contact the police if you believe someone is at immediate risk of harm or danger.

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We encourage parents and carers to share any concerns, no matter how small they may seem. Our staff are trained to listen, offer guidance, and seek appropriate support when necessary. Any concerns will be treated sensitively, respectfully, and in line with our safeguarding procedures.

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By working together, we can help keep children safe, support their wellbeing, and promote a community built on respect, inclusion, and understanding.