At YMCA Fairthorne Group, we are proud to support children in their early years development, and believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, explore, and reach their full potential. YMCA Fairthorne Group Nurseries offers high-level SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) childcare in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, thanks to our inclusive approach.
What do we mean by SEND?
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities refers to children who may need extra support in areas such as:
- Communication and Interaction
- Cognition and Learning
- Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Difficulties
- Physical and/or Sensory Needs
How we support children with SEND
At our nurseries, we have a dedicated Inclusion and SEN manager, who works closely with our qualified SENCo. A SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) is a qualified early years practitioner who has specialist training in supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Their main responsibility is to coordinate the identification, assessment, and provision for children who may need additional support, ensuring that no child is left behind. In line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and the SEND Code of Practice, our SENCos help to make sure every child’s individual needs are recognised and met.
Working with families
Nobody understands a child’s needs more than their parents. That’s why we believe the best support comes when families and practitioners work together as one team. From day one, our team listens carefully, values your knowledge, and works alongside you to create a plan that supports your child’s individual needs. If you are looking for a nursery for your SEND child, we will work alongside you to make sure that both you and your child is comfortable and happy.
Awarding winning SEND support in Hampshire
In 2023/24, YMCA Fairthorne Group embedded the Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) across seven early years settings in Hampshire, transforming how we support young children with special educational needs. This evidence-based approach helped every practitioner reflect on their environment, interactions and teaching strategies, ensuring inclusion became a whole-team commitment rather than a specialist task. The project reached over 1360 children, strengthened partnerships with families, and is now shortlisted for the Youth Matters Awards 2025 – a recognition of our dedication to inclusive early years education.
Want to learn more?
If you are keen to know more about how YMCA Fairthorne Group can support your child with SEND, please get in touch with our friendly team. We are always happy to discuss how we can meet your child’s unique needs and help them thrive.
Contact us today to arrange a visit, or speak with our SENCo team.
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