"festivals ... that we would like to see acknowledged and celebrated" at nursery. does Pride count?

[MamaChocoholic]

Nursery have asked us whether there are any festivals celebrated in our culture that we would like to see acknowledged and celebrated at nursery. I want to put gay pride down. DP says we can't (horrified look on her face). WWYD?

Hmm. Think I'd actually find it easier to write "Gay Pride" on a form than hand in a selection of Stonewall resources. Stupid isn't it? But ds1 is nearly 4 and responding to this feels like a practice run for primary school.

God I'd love to see the faces if you did!!

TBH having run a nursery I think it wouldn't work as they aren't into sexual identity at that stage. If little chocoholic has 2 mums or 2 dads then it would be ..shrug "ok"

"Peter likes wearing the bridesmaids dress (AGAIN eye-rolling) when can I wear it?" Role play rather than gender/sexual expression.

It's the PARENTS who would need the educating in most instances.

Would be a great way to introduce the subject of non-stereotypical "families" though & lots of diversity elements that are missing in Early Years sometimes.

Well we bottled it on the nursery form. But I went to an open evening at ds1's prospective primary school this week and did ask about diversity there. I also asked about whether they have any books with same sex parents in. The teacher said no, but she'd be very open to suggestions. I was thinking if ds1 goes there to suggest the Todd Parr one, to fit it with all the family tree the kids get to draw in the first few weeks. Or there's another we've got that has families from different countries, families where the kids are raised by grandparents/single dads/two dads/two mums. So that's promising, at least :)

we put it down on our sons preschool and they were quite accepting! dont no if the infant school would be.

i completed ths survey laterly on gay parents and it had a section on how gay friendly schools are! was really intrestiing to complete, thought provoking, take a look