If you are investing a considerable sum in a sensory room for your nursery, it is important to have staff trained in its maintenance, who know how to get the best possible use out of it.
In my setting we have a sensory room policy that includes guidelines on the maintenance and cleaning of the equipment. It is a good idea to incorporate these duties into a job role. This may be particularly appropriate for a play assistant or support worker.
Bubble tubes, for example, are very high maintenance. The water in them should be changed every six weeks to stop the build-up of harmful bacteria. It is wise to site your tube where it is easily accessible. You can purchase a pump to empty the water, which will cut the time and energy spent on this task.
If the room is to be used to its full potential, staff will need to take ownership of it. To encourage this we have set up a sensory play interest group, aiming to involve all staff. This group takes charge of a rolling programme of training and continually reviews and evaluates the use of this resource. As a result, the room is in constant use and staff report greater job satisfaction from having the opportunity to work with children in such an exciting environment.
Training
Hirstwood Training, run by sensory room consultant Richard Hirstwood, provides a wide range of training courses.
These cover the basic skills of using and understanding a sensory room, as well as more sophisticated and specialised programmes examining how they can be used in the context of sensory impairment.
Ideas for the use of bubble tubes, fibre optics and projectors are developing all the time. Practitioners can gain awareness of the latest thinking on how these and other pieces of equipment stimulate all the senses. There is also guidance on how to assess the progress of individual children who are regularly experiencing a sensory environment.
'Hands-on' advice meanwhile enables staff to carry out simple tasks such as a bulb or fuse replacement, and helps them to overcome any possible 'technophobia'.
Further information
- A one-day conference, 'Sparkle and Shine: Sharing excellence in multi-sensory practice', on 7 November in London. Visit www.multi-sensory-room.co.uk. Presentations will include 'Engaging early communicators in the process of designing a multi-sensory environment' and 'Engagement for children on the autistic spectrum'
- Hirstwood Training, www.multi-sensory-room.co.uk; Alc associates, www.alcassociates.co.uk; Concept Training, www.concept-training.co.uk; Experiential Play, www.experientialplay.com; Tim Naylor Training and Consultancy, www.timnaylortraining.co.uk
- See 'All about ... Sensory rooms' Nursery World, 29 May 2008.
