The co-creator of a free workbook to support nurseries to improve diversity, inclusion and belonging hopes it will spark a “cultural sea-change in the profession.”

Eunice Lumsden, Professor of Child Advocacy at the University of Northampton, co-created the MANDELA Model for Early Childhood Education and Care workbook, which was published this week.

The workbook contains questions which aim to support early years practitioners to reflect on their own practice and to transform their reflections into changes to benefit staff and children at their nursery.

The MANDELA model was developed by former University of Northampton Senior Lecturer in Social Work Dr Prospera Tedam, who drew on her research into the experiences of Black African social work students on placement. Professor Lumsden has adjusted the questions to support early years practitioners to look at their settings and practice in a different way.

The workbook encourages early years educators to think about issues such as how to address the individual needs of staff, children and families, ways to recognise and embrace protected characteristics, and how the organisation accepts and incorporates the previous life experiences of staff.

 “With reflective practice, there is a chasm of difference between hearing what someone says to you and listening to them,” said Professor Lumsden. “We need to really understand their experiences, to create actions that moves us from discussing issues to creating change. The MANDELA Model for Early Childhood Education and Care is a fitting name as it signifies hope and resilience.”

She added: “It is a privilege to see the workbook now ready and freely available for what I hope will be the start of a cultural sea-change in the profession.”