Parents delight as brand new early years centre finally opens its doors

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4 days ago

Parents have expressed their delight in how play group sessions have improved the lives of their children with special needs and disabilities as the service is expanding.
The Penhill Nursery at the Everleigh Centre has been turned into an early years centre by Swindon Borough Council – and in May it started running Play and Stay sessions for small groups of pre-school children who need additional help and support.
As well as the eight youngsters per two-hour session, their parents and any siblings are also welcome to come and take part.
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The SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) facilities include a large main room filled with colourful play equipment, an enclosed outdoor space and sensory and light rooms.
When the Local Democracy Reporter visited, the children were all busily engaged in their play and learning tasks, some sitting quietly, with a staff member nearby, and available, but not interacting, while others ran about laughing, playing games like peek-a-boo with their parent or a staff members.
The SEND co-ordinator at the early years service, Karen Foye said: 'These sessions are very child-led. We always support the children, but many of them have difficulties interaction with others – so we try and get into their world.
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"We might sit with them and they can carry on with what they are doing, but we will interact with them when they invite it.
'As things progress, we will have a specific and individual plan for each child to help their development.'
Tiffany Lappage, 30, who lives in Wroughton brings her three-year-old son Tommy, who has autism, and his one-year-old sister Delilah once a week.
She said: 'Tommy likes coming now he's familiar with it, as we're driving her he recognises it and starts waving his arms in excitement.
'He really likes the sensory and the light rooms – that helps him regulate his feelings much better and we're having a light room put in at home, because it works so well,
"It's also good that Delilah can play here as well with him when he's happy and having his needs met.'
Sitting at a table while her four-year-old son Freddy played with colours and shapes Celia Dearaujo, 42, from Rodbourne said: 'Freddy benefits from interacting with the other children and the other adults here.
'He gets to explore the world a bit more here, and then at home, he's able to explore a but more. He's always happy to come here and he likes the lights and sounds and textures he can work with and we are seeing benefits at home.'
The centre is gradually expanding its services and later in the year the four play and stay sessions will grow to eight across the week.