CARTER'S SUNFLOWERS CIC
SPECIALIST NURSERY
FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, SOCIAL COMMUNICATION NEEDS AND RELATED CONDITIONS.
WHERE CHILDREN OF ALL ABILITIES LEARN THROUGH PLAY
Our specialist curriculum is planned in line with The Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure children with special needs and autism can achieve the Prime Areas of learning. All Early Years providers focus on the 3 areas of Communication Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Physical Development, as children find it tricky to access the more specific areas of learning without these core skills. We offer structured programmes to focus on the challenges that individual children face in these areas so that they can reach their learning potential.
SCERTS
We use the SCERTS Framework to assess where children are developmentally and to address the core challenges associated with autism. We set goals and objectives that focus on social communication, emotional regulation and the support that children need to achieve in the nursery environment. These objectives are achieved using small group teaching, child lead play and 1:1 work.
Therapeutic Play
Play therapy programmes such as Theraplay and Intensive Interaction are also used to develop social communication and play skills, which leads to competencies in group learning ready for school.
Sensory
Movement programmes such as Sherbourne Developmental Movement, Yoga and sensory circuits are also used throughout our sessions to ensure that children develop body awareness, balance and motor control. Developing gross motor control is essential before children can control the smaller movements that are needed for everyday tasks such as dressing through to writing. Sensory programmes are developed from individual profiles that enable children to get the sensory input they need to stay regulated and in control of their behaviour and emotions.
Communication
Sessions are run by a Specialist Teacher and all leading adults are trained in speech and language programmes such as Attention Autism, Intensive Interaction, Picture Exchange Communication (PECS) and Makaton Signing.