Our belief is that every individual is created in God’s image and therefore is precious and valuable.  We believe in treating everybody with respect and dignity because we acknowledge everyone's God given value and unique identity

At Marlow Infants we have been operating a Nurture Group since 2018 and have seen it make a big impact on those pupils who have participated, this has been particularly true during the COVID pandemic. 

The nurturing approach offers a range of opportunities for children and young people to engage with nurturing experiences, giving them the social and emotional skills to do well at school and with peers, develop their resilience and their capacity to deal more confidently with the trials and tribulations of life,

The basis of the Nurture Group is that education is fundamentally about human growth and development. The group develops the emotional well-being of the child as this underpins learning. Through the development of their wellbeing, the child will be able to further improve their learning and social interaction. The acquisition and understanding of knowledge, and skills, can only take place successfully in the context of healthy relationships.

The aim of a Nurture Group is to provide a safe, secure and reliable environment where children can develop and explore missed early learning opportunities (nurture) with trained adults who actively work to support children to develop the skills and confidence they need to improve their social and emotional development and ultimately become more effective learners.

Our Nurture Group, Rainbow Room, is run by 2 specially trained staff who offer a warm and structured environment to a small group of children (between 6-8) who have been selected, to be part of the group, by careful assessment.

By working closely with parents and Class Teachers we are able to provide further consistency between home and school.

The room is set up to be partly domestic but also very structured, so that early learning opportunities can be recreated.  A strong emphasis is placed on the development of social skills. 

Close relationships are developed with each child, anticipating difficulties, quick intervention and a tailored approach to each child’s particular needs and stage of development.

Rainbow Room runs for two sessions a week and sessions are planned around the children’s particular needs. Activities are fun and are linked, when appropriate, to the curriculum, however, they are carried out in a different format. All sessions are flexible allowing the group to explore any topic or worry which is on their minds.

 

 

What difference do Nurture Groups make for our children?

• they increase confidence and self-esteem
• children believe in themselves as learners
• they improve language, literacy and maths skills
• they allow children to have and make better friendships
• they enjoy school
• they can concentrate better
• they are able to solve problems
• they often return to their classes without needing extra help

 

Nurture Group Principles

• Children’s learning is understood developmentally
• The base offers security and a safe space.
• The development of self-esteem through nurture is implicit in practice
• Transitions in children’s lives are understood as being of great significance
• Language is developed as a vital means of communication
• All behaviour is communication and is accepted as a basis for teaching and learning.