Nursery and Foundation

The hearing impaired provision follow a Total Communication policy which recognises every child needs a unique communication mode. We aim to encourage the development of speech and natural gesture but also offer sign language and picture exchange.

All communication is enhanced by using visual and tactile resources, allowing the children to connect the speech or sign to the practical objects or life experience.

Staff - The Nursery is managed and run by two full time nursery nurses who have additional training to work with Hearing Impaired children. Both nursery nurses have many years experience teaching within the provision and have an excellent understanding of early language development and the foundation curriculum. The nursery nurses are overseen by a qualified teacher of the deaf and the foundation stage lead teacher.

Facilities - The Hearing Impaired Nursery have an acoustically treated room which reduces echo or reverberation of sound which creates a good listening environment for children with a hearing loss. The room has sand and water, a home corner for imaginative play, a computer and an outdoor play area.

Life experience - Every week the nursery children have the opportunity to go out of the school with the staff to experience and develop language through everyday life skills. The nursery have previously made pizza’s at a local restaurant, visited local farms, parks and shops and many more local attractions.

Parent drop in session - Every Thursday morning the Hearing Impaired Foundation & Nursery run a session for parents to come along with their child and get involved. This session is designed to empower the parents to support their child’s learning at home enabling them to develop strategies for communication. It also provides the parents with an insight into the topics covered and allows opportunities to ask questions, share experiences and ensure the contact between home and school is regular.

Activities - The children very quickly get into a routine and are helped to understand what to expect by a visual timetable. In every session the children will be involved in the following activities:

Hello and welcome
Free play
Snack time
Outdoor play

During the week they may be involved in:

Auditory work
Cooking
Life experience
Music and movement
Craft

Placement process - The Hearing Impaired Provision is for children with a severe to profound hearing loss. If your child fits this criteria the preschool teacher of the deaf will help you apply for a place by appealing on your behalf to the Early Years Panel who will consider the needs of your child and make a decision accordingly.

Transport - If your child has been offered a place within the Hearing Impaired Nursery you will be entitled to transport. The mini bus will collect your child from your home and take them with an escort to the school.

Foundation and School - If your child is offered a place in the nursery they will be entitled to continue into the foundation and throughout the school. They will be integrated with the other hearing children in class supported by teachers of the deaf and communicators.

Specialist Nursery Nurses are Christine Clarke and Mandie McGuire. Please contact us on the details provided.