Inclusion at Special Steps
At Special Steps we believe every child deserves meaningful opportunities to connect, communicate and build relationships within their community – in ways that feel safe, positive and developmentally appropriate. Inclusion for our children can look different, and that is okay. Many of our little ones have sensory, communication or physical needs that make traditional groups or busy mainstream environments overwhelming or unsafe. Our approach is carefully designed so that every child can truly participate, not just be present.
Weekly Community Song Time
Once per week we take a small group of children to a local song time group in the community. This gentle, predictable outing gives them the chance to:
- be alongside neurotypical peers in a supported way;
- enjoy music, rhythm and shared attention activities;
- practise social communication in a small group;
- build confidence in being part of the wider community.
Staff plan these visits with great care so children feel secure and regulated. The focus is on joyful participation at their pace, not on rushing or overwhelming them.
Welcoming Inclusion Into Our Setting
We also offer inclusion in a way that is different to the conventional model. Instead of always taking our children out into mainstream environments, we invite small groups of children from local nurseries and early years settings to come and spend time with us at Special Steps.
Local settings can bring a small group of children to join us for:
- song time sessions;
- sensory room experiences;
- short, structured play sessions in our environment.
Why This Approach Works
This model allows the children who attend Special Steps to play and build relationships with their neurotypical peers, while remaining in a safe environment that they know and trust. They are more settled, more regulated and therefore more likely to engage in new activities and with new peers.
It also exposes visiting children to our little ones who may communicate, move or learn in a different way. They see first-hand that all children are unique and valuable, helping to build understanding, empathy and acceptance from an early age.
Most importantly, this approach removes the stress of taking our children with SEND into environments that are highly overstimulating or may pose risks, such as small chokeable items or very busy open-plan rooms. Instead, we create an inclusive experience where:
- our SEND children stay in a familiar, carefully risk-assessed setting;
- sensory needs and regulation are prioritised;
- peer interactions happen naturally and safely;
- both groups of children benefit from shared play and shared experiences.
Building a Truly Inclusive Community
Our aim is to build a community where inclusion is not about “fitting in” but about making space for every child to belong. By welcoming other settings into Special Steps, we can model strategies, share ideas and work together to create inclusive practice that really works for children with additional needs.
If you are a local early years setting and would like to arrange a visit for a small group of children, please get in touch using the button below.