Nursery World - Wake-up call (1)

Catering for special needs is an extra challenge for underfunded settings. Simon Vevers looks at how some are rising to it

Simon Vevers looks at how some are rising to it

Private and voluntary sector providers have an inbuilt disadvantage when it comes to removing barriers to achievement for children with special needs and their families.

Many of these settings are housed in old buildings - making it difficult to provide the 'reasonable adjustments' that are now required by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Then there is the financial burden of providing additional staff, purchasing special equipment and accessing training. These factors, combined with a lack of experience on the providers' part, can produce a crisis of confidence.

That's not to say all voluntary and private settings are coping badly - many are excellent - but there is an urgent need to raise standards across the board.

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