At IPCP, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging and is empowered to contribute and thrive. We actively cultivate a culture that welcomes, acknowledges, and celebrates diversity in all its various forms. Through intentional actions, we continually identify areas of concern and implement improvements that promote inclusion and enhance equity within our school community.
DEI and Early Childhood Education
Research demonstrates that early exposure to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles profoundly impacts young children, helping them develop empathy, respect, and a broader understanding of the world. Early childhood is a formative stage when children’s views about themselves and others take shape, making it crucial to provide an environment where they feel seen, valued, and respected. Our commitment to DEI is, therefore, also a commitment to raising compassionate, curious, and confident children.
History and Progress
Diversity and inclusion have always been core values at IPCP. With the re-formation of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in 2021, we’ve been more actively focused on these goals, with an emphasis on tangible and impactful actions.
The DEI committee conducts an annual survey of families, collecting information on how much families felt like they belonged and were included at IPCP. Data from this survey is used to inform recommendations to the board that will constantly be improving aspects of diversity, equity, or inclusion.
This year’s DEI survey found that:
The majority of the IPCP community feels valued along race, ethnicity, religion, or belief lines and sexual orientation or gender identity lines. 95% of those surveyed feel valued as IPCP members.
93% of respondents say individuals are valued "regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."
IPCP’s survey found that 91.5% of our community say individuals are valued "regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or belief."
The IPCP coop community is linguistically diverse- 40% of families at IPCP have a member of the household who speaks a language other than English. We celebrate the richness of language and cultural diversity.
1 in 10 families at IPCP has a member of the household who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We welcome all home structures that make children feel confident, secure and loved.
The majority of the IPCP community feel empowered to shape the school.
An overwhelming majority of families (86%) said that language at IPCP fosters an inclusive environment “a lot” or “a great deal.”
Nearly half (41%) of families have at least one individual in their household who identifies as Asian, Black, Hispanic, Mixed Race, or other non-White race/ethnicity.
We are proud of the community we’ve built at IPCP, and want our children to grow in an environment that makes them and their families feel secure, welcome, and respected. We recognise there is always work to be done.
We understand that our journey toward increased diversity, equity and inclusion is ongoing, and we remain fully committed to growth. Our aim is to conduct the DEI survey annually, and use the responses to help shape objectives and goals for the following years to come.
IPCP DEI Objectives 2023 -2025
Below is an overview of initiatives that the Committee is currently prioritizing,
Policy/School Environment
Objective: Increase diversity of school community through improvement of recruitment, admissions and staffing policies
Initiatives:
Increase diversity of applicant pool through targeted marketing & outreach
Maintain ‘blind’ admissions & hiring processes to reduce effects of unconscious bias in decision-making
Collect and analyze demographic data at all stages of the admissions & hiring processes to identify areas of potential improvement
Objective: Promote inclusion & equity within our school and community through improved communication and operational design
Initiatives:
Review policies and procedures that govern the community and identify opportunities to promote inclusion & equity within these frameworks
Implement more equitable distribution of parent requirements within the cooperative model
Promote transparent communication regarding programs & policies that support equity and promote inclusivity
Review processes for selecting vendors & partners and propose policies that promote equity & inclusivity within this selection process
Educational Excellence
Objective: Create and maintain a school culture that welcomes, recognizes, and celebrates diversity in all of its forms; Create inclusive spaces for learning and expression for both adults and children within the IPCP community
Initiatives:
Conduct annual audit of classroom materials and drive initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion
Explore opportunities to incorporate DEI concepts into curriculum and to expose children to diversity of human experience
Provide annual training opportunities for adults within school community
Provide periodic resources to support parents in communicating with their children about topics related to DEI at home
Promote awareness of cultural diversity through creation of an inclusive approach to holidays and celebrations
Impact measurement
Objective: Ensure that effective action is taken toward accomplishing stated DEI goals
Initiatives:
Conduct annual surveys to measure shifts in demographics, evaluate experiences of inclusion and determine community level-of-interest for specific initiatives proposed by committee
Create additional mechanisms and safe spaces to empower marginalized community members to voice ideas, thoughts and concerns
Report back to management, board and community regarding progress towards goals, emerging data and areas of concern, and recommended action items based on data analysis
Implement systemic improvements, in collaboration with relevant committees, board, management team and school staff