Who might benefit from targeted nurture support?
Children's needs are individual, and there is no single profile of a child who may benefit from Hippos.
Targeted support may be appropriate for children who, for example:
·are developing confidence, self-esteem or a positive sense of self
·find it difficult to regulate their emotions
·need support to communicate their feelings or needs
·are experiencing significant changes or challenges in their lives
·have experienced bereavement, loss or other difficult experiences
·are finding friendships or social situations difficult
·need support with cooperation, sharing or turn-taking
·find disappointment, frustration or unexpected change particularly challenging
·are quiet, anxious, shy or withdrawn and would benefit from encouragement to participate
·need additional support to settle, feel secure and engage in classroom life
·need help to develop the skills required to access learning successfully
This list is not exhaustive. Nurture is responsive to need, not a label.
How long will my child attend Hippos?
Targeted nurture support is initially offered through weekly sessions. The frequency and duration of support will depend on the individual needs of the child and will be reviewed regularly.
Children may access targeted support for approximately one to four terms, although this is not a fixed timescale. Provision may be reduced, increased, adapted or extended depending on progress and changing need.
The aim is always to develop children's skills and confidence so that they can increasingly manage successfully within their classroom and wider school environment.
Children remain an important part of their class and school community. We make every effort to ensure that attending Hippos does not prevent children from taking part in important shared experiences such as assemblies, visitors, educational visits, celebrations and special events.
Is Hippos only for children who attend a nurture intervention?
No.
Hippos and our wider in-class nurture provision are available to support any child when they need it. A child may use the calm environment or seek support from a trusted adult when they are having a difficult moment, need help to regulate, or simply need some time to pause and reset before returning to learning.
This everyday access is different from a targeted nurture intervention, which is a planned programme of support for children who have identified social, emotional or wellbeing needs requiring a more sustained and personalised approach.
Our aim is to ensure that children can access the right level of support at the right time, without nurture becoming something that is only available to a particular group of children.
Are parents and carers involved?
At Onchan School, we value positive and open partnerships with parents and carers. Families have important knowledge and insight into their children, and we work collaboratively wherever possible to understand needs, share strategies and support children's wellbeing and progress.
Parents and carers are encouraged to communicate with the class teacher and, where appropriate, the Nurture Team about anything that may affect their child's wellbeing, behaviour or readiness to learn.
Where targeted nurture support is being considered, this will be discussed with parents/carers and, where appropriate, with the child.
How can you work with us to support your child?
The partnership between home and school is an important part of nurturing children. Parents and carers can support their child's development by:
·keeping communication open with the class teacher and Nurture Team
·letting school know about significant changes or circumstances that may affect their child's wellbeing
·talking positively about learning and celebrating effort, progress and achievements
·creating opportunities to talk about feelings and helping children to recognise and name their emotions
·encouraging children to use appropriate strategies for managing difficult feelings and situations
·using strategies shared by school where appropriate, so that children experience consistent approaches between home and school
·taking opportunities to be part of school life and celebrating children's successes with them.
Our ultimate aim.
Whether nurture is provided through everyday classroom practice, access to a calm space, support from a trusted adult or targeted intervention in Hippos, the aim is the same:
To help every child feel safe, understood and valued, develop the skills and confidence to manage life's challenges, and participate successfully in learning, relationships and the wider life of Onchan School.