What is Nurture group?

Nurture group is a group of up to 10 children who receive additional support within the mainstream school.  It supports pupils to develop their social and emotional skills.  Which will impact positively on their academic achievement.  Children attend Nurture group 4 afternoons a week, for up to 4 terms, supported by 2 Nurture practitioners.  

What we do in Nurture group

• Encourage communication and language skills by providing opportunities to share experiences.
• Develop Emotional Literacy skills, which build confidence, self-esteem and social skills such as sharing and turn taking. 
• Provide routines and boundaries in a "home from home" style classroom.
• Build trusting relationships.
• Work in partnership with the teachers to provide consistency between the classroom and Nurture group. 

A typical afternoon in Nurture group

• Children indicate how they are feeling on the emotional register.
• Talk time/sharing news.
• Structured play, which includes role play, craft activities, small world, puzzles and games. 
• Review of what we have been doing.
• Snack time, prepared by the children.
• Adult led activity.  Structured learning activity.
• Review of our goals

What difference do Nurture groups make?

Nurture groups are recognised by the Government and Ofsted as providing an important opportunity for children to develop;

• Self esteem.
• Positive relationships with adults and peers.
• Learning skills.

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Freemantle has had a Nurture group since 2009 and we have found it to be very beneficial for the children.  Supporting a child's social and emotional needs builds the necessary foundations to enable them to achieve academically.  

Parents have commented that they have seen positive changes in their children's self esteem, communication and listening skills, confidence, sharing and taking turns.