Mainstream nursery and your SN child...

[superfrizbee]

I go back to work 3 days a week in October and my ds will be starting at the same nursery as dd. He has mild hemiplegia (one sided weakness) after a stroke at 7 weeks. The nursery and staff are excellent, they do lots of wonderful activities and my ds's therapists (physio and occupational therapy) will go in every couple of months to show them exercises and update his programme. In my head I know (or hope) it will be good for all of us, but I'm still racked with guilt and worry to hand over not only a significant part of his care, but also his therapy. Can anyone reassure me? How did your children with additional needs get on in a nursery environment?

 

[kealz]

Hi superfrizbee

I sympathise with you and know how you feel leaving a child with additional needs. Thoughts like, "I understand his needs best, I should be the one giving him care", "What if they can't understand what he wants?", "Are they equipped enough to provide the right level of care?".

My ds has physio, early years specialists and speech therapy. His nursery have been brilliant, they take on board everything that is said and act upon it. He loves the independence that nursery brings - freedom to express himself on his own and learn how to build relationships/resolve conflicts my himself. Anyway, you know the advantages of nursery but what I'm saying is all children need space to flourish and your ds will too with their support. You obviously have faith in the nursery b/c your dd goes there. The staff will be doing everything they can to enable your child to learn and play in a safe and stimulating environment so try not to worry - he will be in safe hands! x