Kango’s Kingdom Nurture Group
Our aim is to ensure that all children at St. Luke’s First School are provided with equal opportunities to access learning. To continue to meet the needs of the entire school population by improving SEN practice and taking on board new initiatives which support and develop our whole school Inclusion Plan.
Establishing a Nurture Group at our school ensures that we are able to provide our more vulnerable children with the opportunity to access learning in an environment that is supportive of their needs, and will enable them to develop self-confidence, social skills and increasing independence.
What are our aims?
Nurture Group Weekly Planner
Social time to chat around the table, learning to share our food, offering it to others
before myself and using manners and helping to take responsibility for special jobs.
We take turns to share our experiences, using good sitting/ listening skills and
questioning.
To incorporate the curriculum within our activities, such as phonics sessions, literacy
and numeracy, letter formation, topic work and science. Thus believing within
ourselves that we can achieve our aims and goals.
Circle time is a well-recognised method of giving children the opportunity to talk and
be listened to within a safe setting and without any interruptions. It is important that
children are able to share/learn about their feelings and themselves with peers and
staff who will embrace and support this learning development.
Working together to share, cooperate with each other, to take turns and learn to
wait. Children learn to make friends and socialise through various activities such as
role-play, problem solving, creativity, playing games, choosing time, cooking and story
time.
In Kango’s Kingdom we share our share our thoughts and ideas, talk through problems
and discuss any consequences. Time is given to review individual targets and
achievements. Choosing time and rewards are given if we have tried our best and
achieved our targets.
It is important that children are given positive reinforcement through consistent use
of zone boards, reward charts, praise and responsibility, always giving opportunity to
put things right and do better next time. Our ‘Golden Rules’ help to remind children
what is acceptable behaviour, differentiate between right and wrong and help to make
good choices.
This area of the Nurture Group setting offers children a place to feel calm, regulate
their emotions by talking through any concerns and a time to reflect and start again.
It is also an ideal place for circle time and reading books/listening to stories.
We are very lucky at St. Luke’s to have access to a Forest School. Nurture Group
pupils will regularly be given opportunity to work outdoors and share the experience
and benefits of this effective environment. We sometimes share breakfast/snack
time outdoors, learn through the changing seasons and enjoy creating planting areas
such as our Butterfly Garden and vegetable patch.
Working together as a whole school team and in partnership with parents/carers
ensures the best support for our children and that the welfare of the child is always a
priority. Kango’s Kingdom has adopted an open-door policy where staff are committed
to providing an educational setting where both parents and children feel welcomed,
valued and respected. Progress and concerns can also be discussed with private time
being available together with class teachers if necessary.
If you would like to find out further information on Nurture Groups, then please see
Mrs Kelly – Nurture Group Leader at St. Luke’s First School