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, 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 ‘Nurture UK'.
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, confidence and well-being
- Builds skills for classroom learning
- Language is a vital means of communication
Before children attend nurture provision parents are informed by letter and requested to sign a permission slip.