Little ones thrive at Fernbank Children's Centre! Our lovely baby rooms with their own outdoor space are the perfect place for your little one to start their early years journey. Our team of experienced and caring staff will provide them with the love and support they need to flourish. For toddlers aged 2-3, our large, light, and airy room is full of fun and learning opportunities. Your child will feel right at home with lots of cosy spaces to curl up with a book or play with friends.

Our preschool room is a vibrant and stimulating space where children aged 3-5 can learn and grow. With its own outdoor space, the room allows children to explore and play. Our team of experienced and caring staff will provide your child with the support they need to develop their physical, emotional, and cognitive skills.

We take an integrated, holistic, responsive approach to early years education. We focus on developing your child's physical health, emotional well-being, resilience, independence, creative and critical thinking skills, and respect for themselves, others, and the environment. We want every child to leave our nursery feeling confident, capable, and ready for the next stage of their education. Book a tour today and see why Fernbank is the best choice for your little one!

Nurseries and playgroups must help all children who go to their settings, including those with special needs.

They do this by:

• Having a SEND Policy. This explains how they help children with additional needs. You can find it on their website or ask staff for a copy.

• Specialist Support: A team member called a SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) has training and experience to help children with special needs. They will work with you as the child's parent and if needed, other specialist services.

• Staff Training makes sure staff know how to identify and help children with different needs.

• Working with Health Visitors to review development, progress, and identify needs e.g. 27th Month Review.

• Connecting with Children's Centres to get Early Help or MAT (Multi Agency Team) support if needed.

• Help with Transitions from the Area SENCo when children with SEND move on to reception class or primary school,

• How to access support from education and health specialist services. Your permission is needed before they can be involved.

Extra support funding for children with additional needs

To get extra help for children with special needs settings will know about:

• Disability Access Fund (DAF). When and how to apply for this funding for eligible children.

• Early Years Inclusion Funding. When it may be appropriate to apply for this funding for children with new or emerging needs. 

• Education, Health, and Care Assessment (EHCNA). When to request an EHCNA. If a child with SEND needs more support that can be provided through the above an EHCNA may identify they need an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Plan funded from the high needs funding block. EHC Plans are reviewed every six months for children in early years settings.

Staff in settings are there to support all children, including those with special needs. If you have questions, please ask to speak with the settings SENCo.