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Excalibur Nurture Group
Our nurture group is called 'Treetops'. It runs three times a week and has been going since January 2011. We have a maximum of six children, from both key stages in our group at any one time.
Our nurture group provides a safe and nurturing learning environment where each child is valued, understood and has their emotional needs met appropriately. Since starting we have been considering behaviour with and around other people. We have looked at the importance of personal space, eye contact and positive verbal communication. Through these sessions, trust and confidence are built and learning begins to take place more effectively.
There is always a game played during each session, our favourite is 'In my shopping basket I put...' This game really tests our memory skills and is great fun because we think up all sorts of weird and wonderful things to go into the basket - have you ever been able to purchase a swimming pool or elephant at the local supermarket?
A drink and snack is always available, and we take it in turns to serve each other. This is an ideal opportunity to improve on our social skills in a relaxed environment.
We have a 'Best Listener' Award, the winner of which is chosen at the end of each session and voted for by all the children, along with a Compliments Booklet, which gives the children another opportunity to give each other positive feedback; we have some wonderful compliments such as magnificent, brave and 'not so fidgety'!
The format of the sessions is flexible and the children are invited to volunteer ideas, suggestions and activities for the group.
It is important that the children feel safe, relaxed and happy within the session and this is achieved by a happy, inclusive, nurturing environment.
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