Nursery World - Mind your language

May I please make two points about the use of terminology in Nursery World (24 November)? The first is the use of the term 'ethnic' in the headline 'Guide fosters sensitivity to ethnic families' (News, page 9). It is often wrongly used, as here, to imply black or other minority ethnic (families). But we all have an ethnicity, so using it in this way is incorrect.

But we all have an ethnicity, so using it in this way is incorrect.

The second point concerns the article on National Standard 9 (Inspections, page 24). Under 'Examples of good practice', the text refers to staff making sure that children are provided with a wide selection of anti-discriminatory and anti-bias materials and resources. I find it impossible to imagine any materials that can be anti-discriminatory or anti-bias in their own right. It is the way that they are used that enables them to be anti-discriminatory or not.

Jane Lane, advocate worker for racial equality in the early years

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included