Welcome to The Nest

Positive Play Support Group

What is the purpose of The Nest & its Philosophy?

The Nest is a small group of (4-6) pupils. Its composition is carefully well thought out to create a balanced and functional group. Its purpose is to offer children opportunities to re-visit early learning skills and promote and support their Social and Emotional development. There is much research evidence that children’s learning is most effective when they have a sense of emotional well-being, good self-esteem and a feeling of belonging to their school community. The Nest provides children with this opportunity and so helps to develop their maturity and resilience. The Nest is a place of learning.

The philosophy of the Nest is drawn from the principles of the Positive Play Support Programme.

The Nest Principles:

• Children’s learning is understood developmentally

• The room offers a safe base

• All behaviour is communication

• The importance of transition in children’s lives

• Has an adult ratio of 1:6 and provides lots of opportunities for speaking and listening activities

• Builds a child’s self-esteem

• Builds skills for the classroom

• Have daily crafts, games and much more!

• Language is a vital means of communication

Before children attend the Nest provision, parents are informed by letter and requested to sign a permission slip.

Which Children Attend?

Children may attend sessions in the Nest for specific reasons, for example:

• Friendship difficulties

• Quiet, shy, withdrawn

• Find it hard to listen to others or join in

• Disruptive towards others

• Find it hard to share and take turns

• Find it hard to lose a game

• Bullying

• Low self-esteem

• Poor relationships with adults in school

• Bereavement

• Family illness or breakup

How will the Nest help my child?

• The Nest will boost confidence and self-esteem and provide children with the extra help sometimes needed to improve social skills and independence for example:

• To join in

• To settle

• To listen

• To concentrate

• To share and take turns

• To accept losing a game

• To build friendships with their classmates

• It gives them a chance and helps to encourage a more positive profile among their peers and members of staff

Does this mean my child is 'naughty'?

NO, these sessions are meant to help them manage situations and increase their skills to become more successful learners.

How long will my child be in the Nest group?

Children attend the Nest on a part-time basis for a minimum of 2 terms. However this is then reviewed and if needed will continue to attend for a further term. We ensure that the children do not miss special assemblies, guests in school, outings or anything else that may be different from the normal routine of the week.

Are parents/carers involved?

We like to consider our door always open and therefore welcome parents/carers to visit. Special invitations from time to time are sent out to join us for example: afternoon tea, mother’s day tea or just simply for a cup of tea and a chat.

An afternoon in the Nest

Children follow a structure and routine that is clear to them, which includes group listening and speaking skills, work tasks, individual and shared play and social skills. The group is run on consistency, positive reinforcement and praise.

A typical afternoon session in the Nest would revolve around a theme that we are all working on. All children would understand what they were going to learn and improve on during the session. Children have the opportunity to share the daily news, explore thoughts and feelings and work collaboratively on a practical task.

The Nest is open at lunchtime from 12.30pm until 1pm so any child wanting to come along and chat or play a game is more than welcome.

The sessions run every afternoon from 1pm until 3pm with each group session being approximately 1 hour.

Mrs Walker-Insley runs the Nest daily and is always happy to answer any questions or queries. Contact details:

School phone number 01283 760382 or email Kwalkerinsley@linton.derbyshire.sch.uk