Inclusive education

Periods of excitement or routine changes can often feel overwhelming for young children, bringing extra noise, activity and heightened emotions. This activity provides a cosy, calming retreat where children can step away from the busyness around them. The den offers a quiet space for moments of stillness and emotional regulation whenever children need a peaceful break. 

We think of nurseries as full of joy at festive times, filled with decorations, trees and songs about donkeys and kings. However, for some children, changes to routine, environment and activity can be unsettling and stressful. Bright new lights, new sounds and smells, different food and a busier, less predictable schedule may lead to feelings of confusion and anxiety. With thoughtful preparation and sensitive support, practitioners can help all children feel secure, included and happy throughout this time. Check out our top tips on supporting children through seasonal change.

Early education and care professionals have a responsibility to provide the best start in life for every child. Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), additional learning needs (ALN) or additional support for learning (ASL) have the right to experience an engaging, inclusive and supportive early education and care provision that caters to their individual needs and supports them to thrive.

The early education and care environment is a busy one with often lots of noise, colours and things to do! Promoting both calm environments and activities provides children with accessible ways to relax and rest when things become overwhelming.

This learning workout aims to explore some of the ways to change up the physical environment.

When talking about children with special educational needs and disabilities, additional support for learning (ASL) or additional learning needs (ALN), the support we put in place and the people we work with, it’s important to use the right language and understand the terms we use.

Visual aids are a popular tool within educational settings, from early education and care through to adult learning provisions, used to facilitate communication, developing understanding and promote independence.

For children with additional needs, a sensory diet is designed with sensory activities that promote regulation throughout the day. It’s an individualised plan based entirely around the child’s unique needs, just like our bodies need a unique diet to keep us healthy.  

Building meaningful connections and secure attachments has long been proven to have a profound impact on child development and wellbeing. Whilst there have been criticisms of the original research from which attachment theory emerged, it is well documented that providing a safe, loving and secure environment for children to build genuine bonds with their caregivers is paramount to their future outcomes.

Every child deserves the best start in life and we know that positive early years experiences are key for children to thrive throughout their childhood and beyond.

With over 1 million users of its own, Makaton is a language programme that utilises signs and gestures to aid communication using keywords and phrases. Take a look at this article to find out more!

Every child has the right to an education and, as early education and care professionals, it’s part of our duty to ensure that every child has equal access to high-quality learning opportunities and nurturing care.

Some children find communicating with people more challenging than others. Children with special educational needs can benefit from additional support to communicate with friends and adults.

Let's take some time to explore how we can meet communication needs for inclusive education

We are asking ‘what is SEND?’ and what does working with children with SEND in early education and care mean?