By Erica Thomas

HLB Associates pound;23.95 (inc pamp;p from 8 Nookfield, Goosnargh, Preston PR3 2BS)

Sometimes you need to cut to the chase, retreat from esoteric debate and give people all the basics, in one place, in a form that’s easy to understand. That’s what this book does. Ostensibly, it’s for people working for NVQ and related qualifications in early years day care and childminding. However, it’s so thorough and straightforward in the way it presents equal opportunities issues point by point that it deserves a wider audience.

It’s particularly good at pinning down definitions: a whole section deals with the nuances of “culture”, “creed”, “faith” and “religion”. Another makes sure that you know, in the context of disability, the meanings of “impairment”, “substantial”, “long-term” and “day-to-day activities”.

The result could be legalistic and dry. That it isn’t like that is a tribute to the author who supports what she tells us with concise and wise reminders of our social and cultural history. One for every staffroom shelf.