Nurture room

[DanyellasDonkey]

"Nurture" seems to be very much the in thing in our authority. Our HT is thinking of turning one of our precious rooms in our very overcrowded school into a nurture room for the increasing number of challenging pupils. Our LA has told us not to apply for any funding for these pupils as there is no money for anything. Has anyone got any experience of having a nurture room or similar in their school?

[NuffSaidSam]

I don't have any experience, but I did watch this documentary filmed in three schools in Glasgow about it. I found it interesting.

[tkband3]

The primary school my children used to go to had a nurture room - they had a higher than average number of children with challenging behaviour and varying special needs and it was a fantastic resource. They were lucky that the school is quite a modern building and they had the space for a generous sized classroom and a sensory room as well. All the children benefited from it, as it enabled those with the challenging behaviour to receive the specialist teaching they required and give their classmates a bit of space from them during the day.

Unfortunately, the teacher in charge of the room left at the end of last year and wasn't replaced, due to funding cuts, which, in turn have led to the facility also being cut. It's a huge shame for the school as a whole.

[ASauvingnonADay]

I wish we had one. We have numerous children with complex attachment and behavioural needs.

[DanyellasDonkey]

Nuff thanks for that link. It all looks great as a lot of money has obviously been invested in it. However I think our school's version of a nurture room will bear no resemblance to that . just not got the money to do it

[RedScissors]

The teacher and nurture assistant should be properly accredited. There are quite strict regulations about who can access the room and they need to be properly assessed and observed.

When it was introduced, it was supposed to be for the ones who flew under the radar. I think in reality that's not always the case. However, when it works well it can be truly marvellous.

I did work with one woman who allowed the children to roam about the room in their bare feet eating toast, and was then surprised when they couldn't reintegrate into the main class

[JustCallMeKate]

I have a nurture room and it works extremely well. Please feel free to PM me.

[YoniFucker]

I wish DS's school had one. It wouldn't need much. Just a box of lego and a comfy chair. Once he's focused on something he enjoys (lego) he calms down quickly, but I dread to think what he's like when they're trying to keep him in a classroom during a meltdown

Honestly, don't think about it in terms of the cost - think of the benefits for the kids who will use it, and for those whose lessons won't be disrupted as their peers will be better supported.

[Teatimebear]

I would love it if we had one. I have so many kids (primary) who's bad behaviour is a result of anger, emotional or attachment issues. At the moment when they can't cope in the classroom my only option is to send them to another class, which is the same as we do as a punishment. It would be great to have another option.