Our Support
Every child is an individual, and every step forward matters.
At Special Steps, our support begins with understanding each child and working closely with their family. We provide a calm, nurturing and responsive early years experience for children with additional and complex needs, helping them feel safe, understood and valued.
Children learn and develop in different ways and at different rates. We adapt our approaches, routines and interactions so that learning is meaningful, achievable and centred on each child's strengths, interests and needs.
Individualised Support
Our team uses observation, assessment and professional knowledge to plan support around each child. Learning opportunities are woven into everyday routines, play and interactions, rather than expecting every child to follow the same approach.
- Personalised learning goals and Individual Provision Maps where appropriate
- Consistent routines, flexible expectations and responsive adult interactions
- Adaptations to support communication, sensory needs and emotional regulation
- Close partnership with families and relevant professionals
- Opportunities to build confidence, independence and engagement at each child's own pace
Communication and Connection
Communication is about far more than spoken words. We recognise and respond to each child's individual way of expressing themselves, including gestures, movement, facial expressions, sounds, symbols and communication aids.
We support communication throughout the day using meaningful interactions, visual support, consistent language and approaches tailored to each child.
Sensory Experiences and Learning
We recognise that sensory experiences can affect how children feel, communicate, play and participate. Our team adapts activities and the environment to help children feel comfortable and ready to learn.
Children have opportunities for sensory exploration, movement, play and carefully planned experiences suited to their individual needs. Support is responsive to each child's preferences, sensitivities and regulation needs.
Eating as Learning
Mealtimes are an important part of our support for children and families. We follow the Eating as Learning approach, recognising that food and mealtimes can be a significant area of challenge for many children.
Children are supported to build positive relationships with food through routine, repetition, choice and communication. This can be particularly beneficial for children with restricted diets, sensory sensitivities or anxiety around eating.
Learn more about how The Feeding Trust supports positive mealtimes through education and training.
Click here to visit their website.
Strong relationships with families are central to our approach.
We understand that many children cannot easily share the details
of their day verbally, so we use Baby's Days and regular progress
reports to keep parents and carers informed, involved and connected.
Our daily updates focus on important information and meaningful
moments, while our half-termly and end-of-term reports give families
a fuller picture of their child's learning and development.
Keeping you informed, every day.
Through our Baby's Days online system, we share the key
information you need about your child's day, including:
We provide regular reports so you can see how your child is growing,
learning and progressing, and so we can celebrate their achievements
together.
At the end of each half term, families receive a report showing
how their child has participated and progressed across our daily
activities. These may include:
These reports help us recognise achievements and understand how
each child is developing across different parts of their day.
At the end of each term, families receive a more detailed report
covering their child's development in the three prime areas of
the Early Years Foundation Stage:
End-of-term reports also include next steps and updated targets
to help us work together to support continued progress.
Where appropriate, we work alongside the professionals involved
in a child's care and development. Sharing observations, strategies
and agreed targets helps us provide consistent, joined-up support.
Our team uses assessment and ongoing review to adapt support
as children's needs and achievements change.
We are proud of the feedback we have received from Ofsted,
which reflects the care, commitment and support we provide
for children and families.
Working in Partnership with Families
Daily Diaries
Reports & Progress Updates
Half-Termly Progress Reports
End-of-Term Reports
Working with Other Professionals
What Ofsted Said
