Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Robin’s Nest Children’s Center was established in 1985. Its mission is to offer high-quality early childhood education. Since its inception, the founding mothers believed the center should embrace diversity and reflect the communities it serves. Specifically, they expressed a desire to establish an inclusive center where every child could see themselves represented and celebrated. Based in the Old North End of Burlington, Robin’s Nest recognizes and embraces the diversity that makes our center a rich and vibrant place to learn and grow. We also recognize that structural racism is an inherent part of the systems, policies and culture that define our society today; systems that create harmful inequities for the children and families we serve. As such, the Robin’s Nest community commits to the following:

-       To foster an inclusive climate where all caregivers, teachers, staff and children feel welcome and free to be their true, authentic selves

-       To initiate hard conversation and speak up when offensive or harmful words are spoken, knowing this is not an affront, but an opportunity to learn and grow

-       To ensure our curriculum is accessible and represents the lived experiences of the communities we serve

-       To elevate the voices of those furthest from justice when decisions are made and ensure they’re at the table

-       To be transparent about Robin’s Nest processes, policies and procedures (i.e. student selection, financial management, and curriculum development, etc)

-       To lead with curiosity and a commitment to shared learning around structural racism and other -isms rooted in white supremacy culture