Nurseries, schools and childminders
For nurseries and schools
Every episode links to the Early Years Foundation Stage or to statutory Relationships Education, so it fits circle time, PSHE and continuous provision.
Using it in your setting
Watch as a group
Episodes are short. Pause at the “Your turn!” moments so children can join in.
Talk and try
Each episode page has three questions and two activities that work for circle time and small groups.
Share with families
Send the episode link home so families can watch together and keep the conversation going.
Check your resources
Make sure your crayons, paints, dolls and books show the full range of skin shades, not one “skin colour”.
Curriculum links by episode
Statements quoted from Development Matters (DfE, September 2023) for the early years, and from the Relationships Education statutory guidance in force from 1 September 2026 for Years 1 and 2.
Episode 1: My Skin
Ages 3–4 · Nursery · Confidence
Development Matters, 3 and 4-year-olds
- Understanding the World“Continue developing positive attitudes about the differences between people.”
- Communication and Language“Sing a large repertoire of songs.”
- LiteracyDevelop phonological awareness so they can “count or clap syllables in a word”.
- Expressive Arts and Design“Explore colour and colour-mixing.”
- Expressive Arts and Design“Draw with increasing complexity and detail, such as representing a face with a circle and including details.”
Episode 2: All Different, All Friends
Ages 3–4 · Nursery · Friendship
Development Matters, 3 and 4-year-olds
- Understanding the World“Continue developing positive attitudes about the differences between people.”
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development“Play with one or more other children, extending and elaborating play ideas.”
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development“Develop their sense of responsibility and membership of a community.”
Episode 3: My Hair
Age 5 · Reception · Confidence
Development Matters, Reception
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development“See themselves as a valuable individual.”
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development“Express their feelings and consider the feelings of others.”
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development“Build constructive and respectful relationships.”
Episode 4: My Name
Age 5 · Reception · Confidence
Development Matters, Reception
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development“Build constructive and respectful relationships.”
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development“See themselves as a valuable individual.”
- Understanding the World“Talk about members of their immediate family and community.”
Episode 7: Which Skin Colour?
Age 5 · Reception · Friendship
Development Matters, Reception
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development“Think about the perspectives of others.”
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development“Build constructive and respectful relationships.”
Episode 5: Where I Come From
Ages 6–7 · Years 1–2 · Confidence
Relationships Education (statutory from 1 September 2026)
- Respectful, kind relationships“That they can expect to be treated with respect by others, and the importance of respecting others, including those who are different (for example, physically, in character, personality or backgrounds), or make different choices, or have different preferences or beliefs.”
Episode 6: That’s Not Kind
Ages 6–7 · Years 1–2 · Friendship
Relationships Education (statutory from 1 September 2026)
- Being safe“How to ask for advice or help for themselves or others, and to keep trying until they are heard.”
- Respectful, kind relationships“The different types of bullying (including online bullying), the impact of bullying, responsibilities of bystanders (primarily reporting bullying to an adult), and how to get help.”
Episode 8: Just a Different Shade
Ages 6–7 · Years 1–2 · Friendship
Relationships Education (statutory from 1 September 2026)
- Respectful, kind relationships“What a stereotype is, how stereotypes can be unfair, negative, destructive or lead to bullying and how to challenge a stereotype.”
- Respectful, kind relationships“That they can expect to be treated with respect by others, and the importance of respecting others, including those who are different (for example, physically, in character, personality or backgrounds), or make different choices, or have different preferences or beliefs.”
It also supports
British values
Mutual respect and tolerance, one of the fundamental British values that early years settings and schools promote, by celebrating children’s own cultures and challenging stereotypes about skin colour.
Equality Act 2010
Race is a protected characteristic under the Act, which applies to schools and childcare providers.
Ready for Key Stage 1
Relationships Education expects pupils to know “How to ask for advice or help for themselves or others, and to keep trying until they are heard.” The episodes start that habit at 3: if a grown-up doesn’t help, tell another one.
If a child tells you about racist words
Take it seriously and tell the child they were right to tell you. Record what was said, and follow your setting’s policies for responding to incidents. Children are taught that if one grown-up doesn’t help, they should tell another, so make sure every adult in the setting knows what to do.
Get in touch
Using Shades of Brilliant with your children, or want to share feedback? Email hello@ufuomao.com.