Nursery World - Positive Relationships: Let's talk about ... Additional needs

Caring for children with additional needs, from speech development to sociability, is both challenging and rewarding. Annette Rawstrone asks childminders about their experiences.

Q: What experience have you of working with children with additional needs?

'I have looked after children with additional needs for most of my 12 years as a childminder. Years ago I looked after an autistic child with cerebral palsy, and then children with various other additional needs, including those that have not yet been diagnosed.

'I have also cared for children with global developmental delay, Down's syndrome and epilepsy. Currently at weekends I look after an autistic child who has cerebral palsy. We accept the children as they come along, whatever their abilities.'

'I looked after a boy with developmental delay, social and speech, for about a year. I liaised with the nursery for assessment and to get him on the road to help and support.

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