Child services available
Individual sessions - finding the way
Parents can be seen with their babies as soon as a diagnosis is made. The sessions usually last between one and a half to two hours and the focus is on providing support and advice to the parents whilst exploring ways in which the baby can begin to learn. Parents are taught how to help their child at home in everyday activities such as carrying, bathing, dressing, feeding and playing. The young babies are taught the essential skills they need to interact with other people and their environment.
Parent and Child (P&C) services - laying the foundations
Babies and young children attend with a parent or carer for group sessions focusing on the learning of basic foundation skills. For younger babies and children, sessions usually last for two to three hours up to three times a week, with more frequent and longer sessions for older children. Through working together in small groups the children begin to develop social awareness and the parents benefit from the mutual support. A child can transfer to the nursery class at any age between two and a half and five years depending upon what is best for that particular child. We take the decision to transfer after full consultation with parents.
Watch 'Emma's first steps' below, shot during P&C groups between 2006 and 2008.
Nursery group - striving for independence
We provide a full-time nursery class for children of 2 to 5 years of age. A child may attend full-time or part-time. A full nursery curriculum is delivered in a way which integrates the learning of social, emotional, academic and motor skills. The emphasis is on helping children to acquire all the foundation skills they need for life and to become as independent as possible. Children attend without their parents but close liaison is maintained at all times. Children in the nursery class are encouraged to look, listen, stand, move independently, play, use their hands, understand preschool concepts and communicate with others. The aim is to help them to reach their full potential and to prepare for successful integration into mainstream schooling or entrance to the school group at PACE.
