Our Nurture group takes place in a classroom we call Treetops. The Nurture room was started in 2011 and the range of care and provision has developed from there.
The Nurture room is designed to be a bridge between home and school; a place where children can feel safe and secure and therefore develop their individual needs further. Treetops has a table to share breakfast, snacks and lunch, a cosy seating area to play games and work collaboratively plus a kitchen to prepare snacks. There is an outdoor area adjoining Treetops with seating a sandpit and outdoor play space.
What is the purpose of Nuture Group & its Philosophy?
The Nurture Group is a small class of pupils (6-8). Its composition is carefully well thought-out to create a balanced and functional group. The Nurture Group is part of the school’s Inclusion and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) provision. Its purpose is to offer children opportunities to re-visit early learning skills and promote and support their social and emotional development. There is much research evidence that children’s learning is most effective when they have a sense of emotional well- being, good self -esteem and a feeling of belonging to their school community. The Nurture Room provides children with this opportunity and so helps to develop their maturity and resilience. The Nurture Room is a place of learning.
The philosophy of the Nurture Room is drawn from the principles established by the work of Marjorie Boxall and others, and exemplified by ‘The Nurture Group Network.'
The Nurture Group Principles:
- Children’s learning is understood and assessed developmentally
- The classroom offers a safe base
- All behaviour is communication
- Recognises the importance of transition in children's lives
- Has an adult/child ration of 1:3, and provides lots of opportunities for speaking and listening activities
- Builds a child’s self-esteem and confidence
- Builds skills for classroom learning
- Has daily crafts, games, a ‘mini-tea’ and more!
- Language is a vital means of communication
Before children attend nurture provision parents are informed by letter and requested to sign a permission slip.
Which children attend Treetops?
Children may attend sessions in the Nurture Group for specific reasons which may be a barrier for learning, for example:
-
Family illness or break-up
- Friendship difficulties – keeping/making friends
- Quiet, shy, withdrawn
- Find it hard to listen to others or join in
- Disrupting own and other’s learning
- Find it hard to accept losing a game
- Find it hard to share and take turns
- Find it a bit tricky to focus and settle in class
- Bullying issues
- Low self esteem
- Poor relationships both in & out of school
- Bereavement
How will Treetops help my child?
Treetops aims to boost confidence and self- esteem and provide children with the extra help they sometimes need to improve social skills and independence for example:
- To join in
- To settle
- To listen
- To concentrate & focus on their learning
- To share and take turns
- To accept losing a game
- To build up friendships with their classmates
- It gives them a chance and helps to encourage a more positive profile among their peers and members of staff.
Does this mean my child is ‘naughty’?
No, these sessions are meant to help them manage situations and increase their skills to become more successful learners.
How long will my child be in the Nurture group for?
Each child’s needs differ from their peers. On average children attend for a period of 3-4 terms. However the children remain an integral member of their mainstream class and we ensure that they do not miss PE, assemblies, guests in school, outings or anything else that may be different from the normal routine of the week.
What will my child be learning in Nuture Group?
How are parent/carers involved?
We like to consider our door is always open and therefore we welcome parent/carers to visit and join the sessions at any time. Special event invitations are sent out to join us for example; Mother’s day tea. Each Thursday afternoon from 2pm we hold a parent/carers tea and chat group (not just for parent/carers of nurture group children).
This is a relaxed, informal group where Parent/carers can chat to the nurture group staff and our Parent Support Advisor, or just meet with other parents. They discuss all issues facing parenthood from bedtime routines to mealtimes and everything else in between!
