Welcome to the Nurture Room Blog
At Peters Hill, we are fortunate to have a Nurture Room situated in the heart of the school. With the stability of the Learning Mentor and links with the schools Pastoral Team and outside agencies, the room provides stability, routine, a safe place, a place to reflect, and a place that gives opportunity to explore the paths that suit.
THE SIX PRINCIPLES OF NURTURE GROUPS.
- Children’s learning is understood developmentally.
- The classroom offers a safe base.
- Nurture is important for the development of self-esteem.
- Language is understood as a vital means of communication.
- All behaviour is communication.
- Transitions are significant in the lives of children.
Children attend Nurture Groups spending appropriate times according to their need but remain an active part of their main class group. Nurture Groups assess social and emotional needs and give whatever help is needed to remove the barriers to learning.
The groups are small, structured teaching groups for children showing signs of behavioural, social or emotional difficulties, particularly those who are experiencing disruption or distress outside school.
There are a number of reasons that a child might be identified as benefiting from the Nurture Group intervention.
- Low self-esteem and confidence
- Struggling with pressure
- Find it hard to listen to others or join in
- Family illness or break up
- Bereavement
- Find it hard to share and take turns
- Find it hard to settle into class
- Friendship difficulties – keeping/making friends
- Find it hard to accept losing a game
- Quiet, shy, withdrawn
A teacher might identify a child with any of the above needs. A discussion would then take place with the Learning Mentor. If it is felt the child would benefit from a Nurture Group environment the class teacher will speak to the parent/carer and they will be given the opportunity to accept a place for their child to attend.
How will the Nurture group help the children?
The nurture group will help to boost confidence and self-esteem and provide children with extra skills to improve social skills and independence for example:
- To engage
- To settle
- To listen
- To concentrate
- To share and take turns
- To accept losing a game
- To build friendship with their classmates
- Gives opportunities to talk about and understand their feelings
- To experience and practice the development of positive relationships
The overall impact of the nurture provision is evidenced through the successful reintegration of the children into their main class. Other impact measures include:
- Improved behaviour and social skills.
- Positive change to social and emotional functioning at home.
- Positive attachments to the school and staff.
- Identification of issues that may require early intervention, for example by CAMHS or the educational psychologist.
- Better self-esteem, confidence and self-worth.
- Improved attendance.
The Nurture Room blog will be weekly updated and provide an insight into what goes on in the Nurture Room.
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