Cultural Capital & British Values
What is Cultural Capital?
At Brookside Nursery, Cultural Capital means widening children’s experiences and giving them opportunities they may not otherwise have. By getting to know our children and families well, we can enrich learning, extend interests, and provide meaningful experiences that build strong foundations for their future.
We aim for every child to experience the awe and wonder of the world around them. We begin with real-life, first-hand activities that motivate and inspire children, helping them develop knowledge and skills across all areas of the EYFS curriculum.
How We Provide Cultural Capital
We offer a rich variety of experiences that encourage children to explore, question, and understand the world around them. These may include:
- Exploring the local area and visiting community places
- Learning about important people in our community
- Participating in charity events and fundraising
- Caring for animals and understanding nature
- Celebrating a wide range of cultures, traditions, and faiths
- Showcasing children’s individual talents
- Baking, practising hygiene, and learning about safety in the kitchen
- Understanding road safety
- Working as a team and developing social skills
- Learning new vocabulary through stories and high‑quality interactions
- Enjoying music, dance, and a variety of musical experiences
- Accessing a wide range of books, including fiction and non-fiction
- Listening to and joining in with rhymes, poems, and stories
- Experimenting, building, painting, modelling, and expressing ideas creatively
- Learning to manage their feelings and understand how to behave in different situations
- Noticing details in the environment, such as wildlife, flowers, buildings, patterns, and textures
British Values at Brookside Academy Nursery
The fundamental British Values are democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance. These are embedded within the EYFS and woven throughout our daily practice. We support children’s personal, social, and emotional development by offering experiences that help them understand themselves, others, and the wider world. These values also underpin the Characteristics of Effective Learning, helping children develop confidence, resilience, and a positive attitude to learning.
How We Promote British Values
Democracy
- Children are encouraged to share their views and listen to the views of others, for example during key worker time or when discussing stories.
- Children’s ideas and interests help shape activities and provision across the nursery.
- The voices of children, staff, and parents are valued and contribute to our shared vision.
Rule of Law
- Children learn about turn-taking, sharing, and working cooperatively through play.
- Clear and age‑appropriate expectations help children understand boundaries and keep themselves safe.
- Children explore feelings, learn about kindness, and begin to understand right from wrong.
Individual Liberty
- We encourage children to ask questions, make choices, and develop curious, confident minds.
- Staff praise effort and celebrate achievements, helping children feel proud of who they are.
- Open‑ended challenges support children to take risks, try new things, and “have a go.”
Mutual Respect & Tolerance
- We are a fully inclusive nursery where diversity is recognised, valued, and celebrated.
- Resources and books reflect a diverse society, promoting positive images of gender, ethnicity, culture, disability, and age.
- Children learn about and celebrate a range of cultural and religious festivals, such as Diwali, Chinese New Year, Easter, and Christmas.