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Doris Venner has always had a high intake of children with additional needs, ranging from autism and ADHD to physical and medical disabilities.
Staff noted that children on the SEN register were becoming overstimulated and overwhelmed in the relatively large setting. This was leading to challenging behaviours and other children were copying these. To counteract this, they set up a small intervention group that supported the children to be more in control of their behaviour and emotions, and it was noted that their communication and regulatory skills were also progressing.
As a result, the nursery developed Sunshine Class, named to promote positivity. The room was redecorated to be less overstimulating and resources were purchased specifically for the children’s additional needs.
Staff are skilled in recognising signs of additional needs and putting support in place. They hold attention autism groups, colourful semantics, portage sessions and many other forms of intervention for both groups and individual children. They have also started a separate circle time that is more developmentally appropriate, usually consisting of a ‘bucket time’ and singing or a sensory story.
The children in Sunshine Class have displayed a dramatic increase in all areas of development, and staff have noted a reduction in challenging behaviour. One area of improvement is children developing communication skills. Often the children who start in Sunshine Class are non-verbal and are unable to communicate, which means they cannot always express themselves or make choices and decisions. To support this, visual choices boards and communication boards are used along with a visual timetable and ‘Picture Exchange Communication System’ to provide children with a voice.
Parents note that their children’s behaviour is better at home and state that the development of speech has been incredible. They say that they did not expect to see such rapid progression and it has had a positive impact on their home life.
Staff try to relieve pressure on parents by completing all paperwork with their consent and liaising with outside agencies as needed. This has included supporting parents through tribunals for education, health and care plans. The nursery is on the border of three local authorities where each process is different, so staff have forged links so they can understand processes and best support families.
Doris Venner is classed as an Inclusion Hub and staff provide training to local settings and offer support to other nurseries.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
The Indigo Childcare Group – Glasgow
The nursery has recently noticed a rise in the number of children needing additional support and sought an inclusive and nurturing approach for all families. As a mainstream early learning and childcare provider, Indigo has changed its culture and practice to give all children equal access to early learning and childcare. Children with additional needs are able to attend the nursery alongside their siblings, which has widened access to children with additional support needs. The Indigo Connects Carers peer support group brings families together, and Indigo’s inclusive practice has gained the attention of the Scottish Government, with the nursery part of a ministerial working group on inclusive ELC.
FINALISTS
Dingley’s Promise – Nationwide
esSENtial Early Years – Birkenhead, Merseyside
NELI Preschool, OxEd and Assessment
Wonderbloom Nursery – Woking, Surrey
CRITERION
Open to settings, services or projects that promote equality of opportunity and the best outcomes for all children, families and staff regardless of ethnic origin, special needs, background or disadvantage.
