Good Practice

An evaluation of nuture groups is found on this link.

What is Nurture Group?

A small supportive class of up to 12 children usually in a mainstream Primary School.

• Provides a secure, predictable environment where the different developmental needs of each pupil are catered for.

• Is staffed by two adults, usually a teacher and a learning support assistant and pupils attend regularly for a substantial part of each week.

• Focuses on emotional and social development as well as academic progress.

• Ensures pupils remain on their mainstream class roll with an expectation that they will return to their class in 2- 4 terms.

Evaluation

Evaluation and Research:

There are many evaluations available showing the success of these groups and how schools have embraced the Nurturing School ethos.

A research project was undertaken at Rosemellin School to look at the group based there over three years (2003 – 2006); it is available to colleagues if they wish to see the findings in detail.

A further piece of work was completed by the Nurture Group Co-ordinator for the Zone on developing an overview of Nurture Group provision and to establish that the six core principles of Nurture Group practice, were being met in accordance with the Nurture Group Network guidelines. This report was then presented to the Head Teachers in the Zone in September 2006. A copy of this report is also available form the CPR Success Zone office.

All the schools in the Zone continue to evaluate the practice and its effectiveness. We are working towards a standardized assessment that will provide comparative data for analysis and also the Nurture Group Network Kite Mark Award.

Ten Top Tips for Children’s Centre Business Planning

 

Together for Children have consulted with a number of local authority finance officers and business support officers, in asking what they felt were the best ways to ensure effective business planning for children’s centres, in improving outcomes for children and families. They recommend the following top tips:

 

1. Plan for sustainability and reshaping of services from the start.

 

2. Develop a service or business and delivery plan from stage 1 to stage 4 of children’s centre development. Aim to review every quarter and refresh annually to     reflect policy changes and the impact of delivery.

 

3. Research and identify potential sources of additional funding to meet shared targets such as regeneration, adult and further education at all stages of development and delivery.

 

4. Work with employers and employer organisations to promote childcare as a mutually beneficial shared agenda. Encourage employers to advocate and support children’s centres to their employees and the wider business community.

 

5. Focus on delivering high quality services for value for money; ensure every member of staff knows what they cost and what they contribute and add value to.

 

6. Stress the importance of continuous improvement, reflective practice, evaluation and reward for meeting outcomes and outputs.

 

7. Consider what is already out there and work together with partner organisations to maximise impact and minimise risk.

 

8. Ensure that consultation with potential and actual users does take place and that delivery reflects what parents and children really want!

 

9. Ensure there are effective business support services in place that are appropriately recognised and valued.

 

10.Children’s centres are here to stay… they are not short term projects, commit and plan accordingly! 

 

http://www.surestart.gov.uk./magazine/ latest quarterly

Overview of Nurture Group Provision

Executive Summary September 2006 - July 2007

 

 

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