Top tips: Inclusion in action 

The reasonable adjustments you make so that all children can access play, learning and routines alongside their peers don’t need to be complicated or costly. It’s often about planning ahead, being flexible and removing barriers from the environment, communication and expectations. These inclusion in action tips offer simple, everyday strategies you can use to support inclusion, independence and well-being across the nursery day.

Top tips for inclusion in action

1. Start from strengths. Lead with what the child enjoys and can already do, then build skills from there 
2. Make adjustments early – if a child needs support to access learning, put it in place as soon as possible 
3. Work with families. Ask what works at home, such as what helps with recovery after a challenging moment 
4. Keep expectations high 
5. Reduce cognitive load. Use short, simple instructions, one step at a time, consistent routines etc. 
6. Use visuals as standard. Visual timetables, first/then boards, choice boards – these help all children not only children with additional needs 
7. Review the environment. Check noise, lighting, transitions etc. 
8. Offer predictable transition strategies. Give time warnings and have clear what/where next cues 
9. Create regulation areas such as a calm corner, movement breaks, sensory tools 
10. Support peer relationships. Teach all children how to include each other by asking, waiting, or offering choices
11. Be consistent with boundaries. Clear simple rules and calm predictable responses are reasonable adjustments too, especially for anxiety and regulation 
12. Record, review, and refine. Note what helped and what didn’t and revisit regularly. Include parents with this too.  

NDNA products to help you with our inclusion in action tip

Autism Awareness - Live Virtual Classroom