About Us

STAR is a charity specialising in working with professionals and parents concerned with creating a positive environment for all children under 8 at home and at school.

STAR's overall objective is to work towards the elimination of discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups by offering support and training to teachers, under 8's workers, parents and carers.

STAR provides four integrated services:

1. Multicultural Resource Library

STAR holds a variety of good quality multicultural toys and resources for children under eight and for those who work with them. These includes musical instruments; dressing-up clothes and fabrics; positive-image children’s books; games and puzzles; role play toys; posters; art materials; and reference books for those involved with the education and care of under 8s. STAR also provides festival boxes containing resources for five major religious and cultural festivals.

"All children need to see themselves reflectedpositively in the play and learning materials they use. This tells them that they are an integral part of the society they are growing up in and important participants in the educational process and system." Nandini Mane, Working Group Against Racism in Children's Resources.

2.Training

STAR's training aims to enable under 8's workers, parents and carers to increase their knowledge and confidence about providing an inclusive environment for all children, which relects the diversity of society in Britain today. STAR’s training is designed to enable trainees to: (i) understand good inclusion practice and policies; (ii)understand how racism operates in society and how to challenge it; (iii) increase their knowledge of different racial and cultural issues; and, (iv) learn how to select resources, use resources appropriately, and incorporate them into daily use.

STAR's trainers can tailor courses to meet individual requirements.

3. Outreach and Consultancy

Outreach visits are free to Early Years settings in Bath and North East Somerset.

During the 2-hour visit staff have the opportunity to question the Outreach Worker about issues concerning inclusion and to view examples of STAR's resources.

STAR's Outreach Worker will produce a report on the setting's resources and current practice with respect to race equality and inclusivity, and may make recommendations for further staff training.

Outreach visits are funded by a Bath & North East Somerset EYCPT Service Level Agreement.

4. Information Service

STAR provides an information service, specialising in issues relating to racial equality, inclusion and diversity affecting the education and childcare of under 8's.

STAR representatives regularly attend relevant local committees to influence policy on race equality issues concerning Early Years education and childcare.

STAR representatives contribute to conferences and attend local events to promote our work.

"“STAR provides a unique resource that is vitallyimportant in this area. …it is possible for people living and working in predominately white areas to dismiss racism as a matter that they do not need to consider. However, in work with children it is very important to expose all children to multi-cultural resources and anti-discriminatory provision. STAR enables this to happen in this area and we are fortunate to have such a valuable resource.”" Alice McColl, Playworkers Against Racism.

What does an anti-racist approach mean in practice?

Why is anti-racism important for the under 8's, surely they are too young?

Research shows that by the age of two children notice different skin colour. They soon pick up messages — from the media, toys, books and adults around them — about how these differences are valued. Any difference can be a source of discomfort for a small child.