What is Nurture?
The definition of Nurture is:
“To care for and protect, someone or something, while they are growing.”
The purpose of Nurture is to offer children opportunities to re-visit early learning skills and promote and support their social and emotional development. There is evidence to suggest that children’s learning is most effective when they have a sense of emotional well-being and positive self-esteem. Ide Hill is a Nurture UK accredited school in order to support pupils to develop their resilience and self-esteem.
At Ide Hill, we link our school values with the Nurture principles, reinforcing how we can show love, respect and responsibility together as a community.
Why does Nurture matter?
- Nurture is important in shaping a child’s social, emotional and behavioural development.
- A child’s early experience of being nurtured and developing an attachment with a caring adult affects all aspects of their future behaviour and development.
What does Nurture do?
- Helps us to develop our social and emotional skills
- Supports us as we grow
- Builds our resilience and makes us feel better about ourselves
What Does This Mean for Your Child?
- A warm, welcoming classroom where relationships come first
- Time and space for children to express their feelings safely
- Adults who understand that children develop at different rates
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A balance of learning, play, structure, and emotional support
The Six Principles of Nurture
We follow the six Principles of Nurture as a whole school approach. All stakeholders are invested in these principles. We believe all our pupils, staff, parents, governors and visitors should be happy, safe and valued.
We have adapted the six principles into child-friendly language so the pupils at Ide Hill School can remember them and use them.
1. Our learning is understood developmentally
We are all individuals. We all learn in our own way and in our own time and that's ok.
2.The classroom offers a safe base
A classroom or school should be a safe space where we all feel happy and valued.
3. The importance of nurture for the development of wellbeing
Looking after ourselves and other people makes us feel good so we take care of each other in our school community.
4. Language is a vital means of communication
We use our words to talk about how we are feeling.
5. All behaviour is communication
It's not always easy to express how we feel in words. Our behaviour shows how we are feeling.
6. The importance of transition in our lives
Change happens all the time. It can be exciting but it can also be scary.
Each classroom has a "Nurture Nook" where a child knows they can go to as a safe, calm space. A child can use this safe space if they are feeling upset, angry or overwhelmed and need to regulate their emotions. Children are shown how to use this safe space and show respect to one another if it is being used.
We also offer "Nurture Groups." Nurture groups offer a short-term, focused intervention which addresses barriers to learning. The intervention will last for six to twelve weeks for 4 to 6 children. Children follow a structure and routine which includes group listening and speaking, turn taking, support with friendships and support with managing emotions. The group will help to boost confidence and self-esteem. These sessions are designed to help children become successful learners at school.
In order to identify which children we think would benefit from this intervention, we carry out a Boxall Profile Assessment. This will identify possible areas that a child might need support. These children will then be invited to join a group after a discussion with parents.