Nurseries defend anti-racism leader's diversity training after Telegraph's 'uninformed' attack

Anti-racism campaigner Liz Pemberton, whose company The Black Nursery Manager offers diversity training, has been defended by nurseries after she was criticised in The Telegraph as a ‘Maoist’ diversity consultant trying to ‘decolonise the mindsets of nursery staff working with toddlers’.

Anti-racism trainer Liz Pemberton. Credit: Liz Pemberton.

With some councils using the services of The Black Nursery Manager to deliver diversity training sessions, Liz Pemberton has found herself the focus of a Telegraph article.

Sir John Hayes: 'Corruption of the youngest children'

The article stated her ‘decolonising course includes advice on “how to audit the dressing-up box” by avoiding racial stereotyping through pantomime costumes and others.’

The Telegraph reported that Sir John Hayes, a former education minister planned to write to Nadhim Zahawi, the Education Secretary, demanding an investigation and called the training “brainless nonsense” that is “deeply sinister”.

Sir John, chairman of the Common Sense Group of 60 Conservative MPs, told The Telegraph: “This is the corruption of the youngest children of all. Infants are being subjected to the most poisonous and divisive kind of dogma, which is groundless intellectually and deeply damaging socially.

“This woman should be defunded immediately and I will ask the Government to investigate why these local authorities are spending this kind of money with the deeply socially divisive effect it’s having on little children."

Liz Pemberton responded to The Telegraph, with the statement: 'My work to date, which has seen me work with hundreds of organisations, has highlighted the increased trepidation from white early years educators about how to competently challenge incidents of racism, and to confidently satisfy the natural curiosity that all children have pertaining to skin colours, hair textures, and religious practices.

'Children between the ages of two and four constantly ask questions, seeking to make sense of the world around them. It is at this age we should be assisting them to develop anti-racist views in the same way we should be ensuring that they are not developing ableist, homophobic, or sexist perspectives of the society that they are a part of.'

'Lack of awareness of racist behaviour'

Early years leaders have long celebrated the former nursery manager Liz Pemberton’s work as an essential contribution to the early years sector as it tries to tackle racism and discrimination.

In response to The Telegraph article, TACTYC, National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), Early Years Alliance and other nurseries membership bodies have come out to support Ms Pemberton’s training.

TACTYC, which promotes the professional development of early years practitioners stated: 'TACTYC condemns the uninformed attack on the vital work that Liz Pemberton does to promote awareness and understanding of anti-racism and discrimination in her role as The Black Nursery Manager.

'Liz provides an essential informed, thought-provoking and supportive service to colleagues and practitioners working across the early years sector, which has obvious relevance to our wider society.

'Given the continuing evidence of the widespread lack of awareness of racist behaviour and the damage this can do, this important training and the messages shared should be welcomed and put into practice.'

The NDNA stated: ‘It’s important practitioners can access a wide range of support that they might want in discussing racial equality and inclusive practice. This should be encouraged not criticised.’

'Talking about race, racism, privilege & white supremacy is hard'

Pregnant Then Screwed tweeted its support for Liz Pemberton with the words: ‘We invested in training by @lizpemtbmn for the team and volunteers. It was life changing, the best training we have ever done.

'Talking about race, racism, privilege & white supremacy is hard & uncomfortable but without people like Liz, who have dedicated their life to racial equality despite this work being personally traumatising for her, then society will be forever polarised. We need more people like Liz and we would recommend her training to every charity & organisation.'

In response to the overwhelming support for her work from the early years sector, Liz Pemberton tweeted: ‘I love this sector and the acts of solidarity shown in so many ways this past few days.’