Diversity means honouring the full range of who children and families are, including their cultures, languages, family structures, abilities, identities, and ways of navigating the world. It means creating space where difference is genuinely valued, where children see themselves reflected and encounter lives unlike their own with curiosity and respect.
At Sorrel and Cedar, we believe that belonging isn’t something children have to earn. It’s something they deserve to feel from the moment they arrive. We’re committed to building a program where every child can show up fully as themselves, where families feel seen and welcomed, and where diversity isn’t an add-on but woven into the fabric of what we do.
Our commitments:
We choose books, songs, and materials that reflect diverse authors, illustrators, and perspectives, including Indigenous voices, Black creators, and stories from marginalized communities. We prioritize stories that center joy, resilience, and complexity, not just struggle. Children deserve to see themselves as whole people, not footnotes.
We welcome and celebrate the cultural practices families bring with them. Whether it’s food, language, music, or tradition, we invite families to share what matters to them and weave it into our days together. We see these contributions not as special additions but as essential parts of our shared life.
We use inclusive language and images that reflect different family structures, gender expressions, abilities, and body types. Children deserve to see the world as it truly is: varied, complex, and full of life. We talk openly about differences in age-appropriate ways, and we model curiosity and respect rather than avoidance or discomfort.
We aim to be a safe and welcoming space for 2SLGBTQIA+ families and children, and we’re intentional about the messages we send through our environment and our words. From the books on our shelves to the way we talk about families, we work to create a space where all identities are affirmed.
We recognize that access is part of diversity. We think about how our space, our routines, and our expectations include or exclude children with different sensory needs, communication styles, and ways of learning. We adapt where we can and listen when families tell us what their children need. Health access also matters. We require masking for adults at all times and for children during respiratory illness season or when illness is circulating in the community. We want to protect children’s baseline level of health so they can show up fully, learn, play, and thrive without unnecessary illness interrupting their days or long-term well-being.
We’re learning, and we know we won’t always get things right, but we’re committed to listening, adjusting, and doing better. Diversity isn’t a static goal or a checklist to complete. It’s ongoing work, and we’re in it for the long haul. We welcome feedback, questions, and conversations that help us grow.
Sorrel and Cedar ELC 