June is the month of Pride, and for many Early Years practitioners it can bring up many questions including, what it looks like in practice.
Should we acknowledge Pride in our setting? How do we talk about it with young children? What if parents ask questions? Am I confident enough to discuss it?
The good news is that Pride in the Early Years doesn’t need to be complicated.
At its heart, Pride is about many of the same values that underpin everything we do as Early Years educators: kindness, respect and belonging while helping children understand the world around them.
Why Talk About Pride in Early Years?
One of the questions that often gets asked is whether children are too young to learn about Pride.
The reality is that children begin noticing differences from a very young age. They notice who lives in their friends’ homes. They notice who collects children at the end of the day. They notice similarities and differences between themselves and others.
Children are naturally curious, and they are constantly asking questions as they try to make sense of the world around them.
By creating environments that reflect real-life diversity, we are helping children understand that there are lots of different ways to be a family, and that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect.
Talking about equality and inclusion helps to:
- Build empathy and respect for others.
- Help children from LGBTQIA+ families feel seen and valued.
- Create a welcoming environment for all families.
- Support children’s understanding that families come in many forms.
- Lay foundations for confidence, belonging and self-acceptance.
- Prepare children for life in a diverse society.
Most importantly, it helps children understand that everybody belongs.
Representation Matters More Than We Sometimes Realise
A few years ago, a practitioner shared a story about a child who asked:
“Where are the pictures of my mummies?”
It’s such a simple question, but it says so much.
What that child was really asking was whether their family was represented in the environment around them.
Children quickly notice whether they can see themselves reflected in books, displays, role play areas and conversations. They notice when their experiences are included and when they are absent.
For children who have same-sex parents, LGBTQIA+ family members; representation sends a powerful message:
“You belong here too.”
That message can have a lasting impact.
Keeping It Simple
Sometimes adults worry that talking about Pride means having complicated conversations that aren’t age appropriate.
In Early Years, that really isn’t the case.
We don’t need lengthy explanations or detailed discussions. Young children learn through their everyday experiences and interactions.
In fact, some of the most meaningful learning happens through simple moments.
Through Stories
Books are often one of the easiest places to start.
When children see diverse families represented in stories, those families become part of their understanding of the world.
The aim isn’t to make every story about difference. It’s simply to ensure that all children can occasionally see families that look like theirs reflected on the bookshelf and in the quiet reading corner.
Inclusive books should be available all year round, not just during awareness events or celebrations.
Through Everyday Modelling
Children watch everything we do.
The way we welcome families, the language we use, the books we choose, and the conversations we have all send messages about who is valued.
When children consistently see adults treating everyone with respect and warmth, they begin to do the same.
Through Consistency
One thing worth reflecting on is whether equality, diversity and inclusion only appears during awareness events and celebrations.
Children benefit most when messages about equality, diversity and belonging are woven throughout their play, continually throughout the year.
Pride Month can be a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on equality and inclusion, but the work shouldn’t begin and end in June.
Practical Ways to Explore Pride in Your Setting
There is no single “right way” to acknowledge Pride in an Early Years setting.
What works in one setting may look different in another.
Some simple starting points include:
Review Your Book Collection
Take a look at your shelves.
Do children see a variety of families represented?
Do stories reflect the world children live in today?
A simple book audit can often reveal gaps and opportunities.
Explore Colour and Creativity
Let’s be honest; for many younger children, the rainbow is often the part of Pride that captures their attention first.
And that’s okay.
Rainbow-themed activities can spark wonderful conversations while children engage in:
- Painting
- Colour mixing
- Baking
- Water play
- Loose parts play
- Outdoor learning
The conversations that happen alongside these experiences are often more valuable than the activity itself.
Talk About the Meaning Behind Pride
For older children who ask questions, simple explanations are usually best.
You might say:
“Pride is a celebration that reminds us everyone deserves to be treated kindly and fairly, no matter who they are or who their family is.”
That message is both meaningful and developmentally appropriate.
Creating a Truly Inclusive Environment
Pride Month can also provide a useful opportunity to reflect on our wider practice.
Equality and inclusion isn’t just about activities.
It’s about the culture of the setting.
Ask yourself:
- What messages does our environment send?
- Who is represented in our resources?
- How inclusive is our language?
- Do all families feel welcomed?
Sometimes small changes can make a significant difference.
Consider Your Forms and Documentation
Many settings have already begun moving away from labels such as “Mum” and “Dad”.
Using terms like:
- Parent
- Parent/Carer
- Guardian
can help ensure all families feel included right from the very beginning.
Review Communication
Simple changes in language can be powerful.
For example:
- Dear Families
- Parents and Carers
- Grown-ups at Home
These phrases acknowledge the diversity of family structures without making assumptions.
Audit Your Resources
Take a walk around your setting with fresh eyes.
Look at your:
- Books
- Posters
- Small world figures
- Family displays
- Role play resources
Do they genuinely reflect the children and families in your community?
If not, where could improvements be made?
One helpful resource here is a guide to seeing your early years setting through a child’s eyes. It turns the audit into a practical, child-centred exercise.
Supporting LGBTQIA+ Families
Building strong partnerships with families is central to everything we do.
When working with LGBTQIA+ families, the same principles apply listen, respect and avoid assumptions.
Useful conversations might include asking:
- What does your child call you?
- How would you like us to refer to you?
- Is there anything important you’d like us to know about your family?
Of course, every family is different.
Some families may be very open about sharing their experiences, while others may prefer greater privacy.
The key is ensuring that every family feels respected and welcomed.
What About Challenges?
It’s important to acknowledge that some practitioners may encounter concerns from colleagues or families.
When concerns arise, it can be helpful to return to the core purpose of our work.
· We are not promoting an agenda.
· We are promoting inclusion.
· We are helping children learn about the world around them.
· We are ensuring that every child and family feels valued within our setting.
Keeping the focus on children’s wellbeing, belonging and respect for others often helps guide these discussions in a positive direction.
Supporting Staff Confidence
Not everyone feels confident discussing LGBTQIA+ inclusion straight away.
That’s completely understandable.
Like any area of professional development, confidence grows through learning, reflection and sharing experience.
Creating opportunities for staff to:
- Access training
- Explore resources
- Share concerns
- Discuss scenarios
- Reflect on practice
can help build confidence over time. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress.
A Chance to Reflect
Pride Month offers all of us an opportunity to pause and think about our practice.
Not because we need to have all the answers, but because reflection helps us grow.
Consider:
- How visible is equality and diversity in our setting?
- Do all families see themselves represented?
- Are inclusive messages embedded throughout the year?
- What could we do better?
Even small changes can make a meaningful difference to children and families.
The Big Message
When we strip everything back, the message of Pride is actually very simple.
· Every child deserves to feel safe.
· Every child deserves to feel valued.
· Every family deserves to feel represented.
· Every person deserves respect.
As Early Years practitioners, we have the privilege of helping children develop the attitudes and values they will carry on into their adulthood.
By creating environments where differences are celebrated rather than hidden, we help build a future generation that is confident in themselves, accepting of others and proud of who they are.
And surely that’s something worth celebrating, not just during Pride Month, but every single day of the year.