Nurture provision
What is the purpose of a Nurture Group?
Our Nurture Group is a small class of up to eight pupils. The children are carefully brought together to ensure a balanced and functional group. The Nurture Group continues the ethos of an already nurturing environment within Courthouse Junior School and provides inclusion for all children promoting Personal, Social & Health Education.
Children are supported within the Nurture Group to improve their emotional well-being, self-esteem and have a sense of belonging to the school community. We provide a structured routine with clear boundaries so the children feel safe and secure. Our Nurture Group is a place of learning.
The Nurture Group Principles:
- Children's learning is understood developmentally (stage not age)
- The classroom/school 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
Reasons children might attend a Nurture Group
- Low self-esteem
- They find it hard to listen to others or join in
- Family illness or break up
- Bereavement
- They find it hard to share and take turns
- They find it hard to settle into class
- Friendship difficulties - keeping/making friends
- They find it hard to accept losing a game
- They may be quiet, shy and withdrawn
A teacher might identify a child with any of the above needs. A discussion would then take place with the SENDCo and Nurture staff. The parent/carer will be given the opportunity to accept a place for their child to attend the Nurture Group.
How will the Nurture Group help your child?
Children follow a structure and routine that is clear to both staff and children which includes group listening and speaking, work tasks, individual and shared playing and social skills. The group runs on consistency, positive reinforcement and praise.
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 work on curriculum based activities from their classrooms
- To experience and practice the development of positive relationships
How long will my child attend the Nurture Group?
The Nurture Group has 2 seperate groups; the rainbow group for Year 4 and the caterpillar group for Year 5. Each groups runs for 2 afternoons per week. A child may attend for 1-4 terms. However, we ensure that children do not miss special assemblies, guests in school, outings or any special events that the rest of their class are taking part in.
Are parents/carers involved?
Yes, we pride ourselves on having an open door policy where parents/carers can come and chat with the Nurture staff with
regard to their child. Occasionally special events will be run for parents/carers to come and see what their child does e.g: share in toast time or story time.
The Nurture Team
The team at Courthouse consists of Mrs Roberts, Mrs Harvey, Mrs Stevens, Mrs Harrold and is overseen by Mrs Hayes.