Our Day Nursery Awarded for their Dedication to Neurodiversity
"Rosie and The Team at Our Day Nursery have gained the ADHD Foundation’s ‘Neurodiversity Early Years Award’. Through engaging with training, the team have further developed their skills, with a focus on understanding and supporting emerging neurodivergence across the Early Years.
They have demonstrated a passion and dedication to creating neuro-inclusive environments, that support all of their little learners to thrive.
It has been a pleasure working alongside the whole team at Our Day Nursery!" Samantha Asher, Neurodiversity Early Years Team Lead
Our Day Nursery are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded an 'Early Years Neurodiversity Award' in recognition of our neurodiversity affirming ethos and our commitment to proactively supporting all children inclusively for them to thrive. We embarked on the journey to gain this award back in September following Hannah (learn more about Hannah below) attending some training provided by the ADHD foundation for nurseries within the Borough. The training was fantastic, so we decided as a setting to invest in upskilling the whole team and attending 3 twilight training sessions covering subjects such as 'how to create a neuro-inclusive environment'. Over the past few months, we have thoughtfully adapted our environment, and Hannah has then created a portfolio to showcase the work we do that demonstrates our clear understanding of not only meeting children's individual needs; but also applying universal strategies that support all children in developing their sensory and emotional regulation. We understand that meeting these needs is crucial in laying the foundations for children to grow and develop. Our portfolio evidenced this through our general approach as well as the implementation of more specific programmes used across the nursery such as: bucket or box time, sensory stories, calm baskets/spaces, and zones of regulation too. We feel immensely proud and Samantha Asher who assessed us said; 'Your presentation was gorgeous to read, with so many wonderful examples of how you provide a neuro-inclusive environment, not only for the children, but their families too. I sensed the warmth of your nursery, just through your presentation, so a big well done, your dedication shone through!'
Neurodiversity - The Umbrella Project
‘Here at Our Day Nursery we have a strong ethos that supports neurodiversity affirming practice. We strongly believe in promoting a strengths based approach for all of our children and we celebrate our unique differences and achievements. As a result of our commitment to lead the way with our positive approach to neurodiversity in young people, we have been recognised through fundraising by the ADHD foundation, a neurodiversity charity which has championed The Umbrella Project. As part of the initiative we proudly display 10 brightly coloured umbrellas that symbolise the belief that ‘neurodiversity is the umbrella term for all kinds of minds’.
Meet our SEN Lead Hannah
My name is Hannah, I am the SEN lead here at Our Day Nursery and I have worked across a range of settings with children over the last 12 years. I am a qualified teacher and taught in SEN schools for six years before having my own daughters. I am passionate about developing children's skills using a play based sensory approach as this enables our young people to build the foundations for learning and life!
I strongly believe that strategies often implemented for children with additional needs are beneficial for all children, and as a result we at Our Day Nursery work hard to embed strategies to create an inclusive environment. We use a total communication approach so use visual supports and audio cues, we incorporate signing and use lots of songs and music to aid communication too. We focus on our children's emotional well-being and understand how this is at the core of their development. We also support children with their sensory regulation in order to ensure they are able to access activities throughout the day and are having their bodies needs met.
Children follow a daily routine and participate in circle time activities such as 'What's in the box' and 'Bucket time' and over time the routine and repetition has hugely increased their anticipation and attention. We aim to create a wide variety of invitations to play that are child led, open ended and will foster their imagination and creativity! Our children love exploring outdoors, roleplaying and engaging in messy play and staff will plan in the moment to ensure they are following children’s interests and engage them fully.’
