At Back to the Garden Childcare, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for neurodiverse children and staff. We recognise that every individual has unique ways of thinking, learning, and processing the world around them. By fostering an environment that respects and accommodates these differences, we aim to ensure that everyone in our nursery community feels valued and supported.
Support Our Team
We believe that an inclusive workplace is essential to the well-being of our staff. Our team receives training on neurodiversity to help them better understand and support others. We also offer workplace adaptations tailored to individual needs, ensuring that team members have the right support to thrive in their roles.
For those who require adjustments, we provide resources such as laptops and note-taking devices. A medical care plan is in place for staff members who need one, and we always ensure access to a quiet space if someone requires a break. Additionally, our Medicash programme supports staff well-being.
We encourage open conversations around neurodiversity, and team members are welcome to share their experiences if they feel comfortable. At our Lymm setting, we currently support two staff members with ADHD and one with autism.
Lucy Williams, our Deputy Manager at Lymm, says, “I have a mental health first aid and neuroscience qualification, and I do drop-in sessions for any staff who may need it.” These initiatives ensure that our team feels heard, respected, and empowered in their roles.
Support Our Children
Every child learns in their own unique way, and we tailor our learning experiences to accommodate different styles of learning and processing. We take time to understand each child as an individual, working closely with families to create personalised plans that align with their interests and sensory needs. Visual prompts and cues are used for children who respond best to visual learning, and we continuously assess our environment to remove barriers to each child’s development.
Messy play is a big part of our approach, allowing children to engage their senses in a fun and exploratory way. Activities such as food tuff trays provide an opportunity for children who are sensitive to certain textures and tastes to interact with food in a pressure-free environment. We have found that this can be particularly beneficial for children with food aversions, helping them to gradually overcome their sensitivities.
“If a key person or parents come to either the SENCo, unit leader, or management regarding concerns around their/a child’s specific area of sensory, we have a questionnaire that we complete and ask parents to also complete. From this, we are able to look at the different sensory areas and how we can support the child.” – Zoe, Deputy Manager, Altrincham
We’re excited to share that our Lymm setting, has a new dedicated sensory room equipped with sensory toys, lights, sounds, and circuits designed to support children with sensory sensitivities.
To further enhance our approach, we have books such as Every Brain is Beautiful: A Little Kids’ Guide to Neurodiversity, which help foster understanding and appreciation of different minds.
Tailoring Support for Neurodiverse Children
We continuously adapt our activities and environments to ensure that all children can access learning in a way that suits them. This includes making adjustments to the physical space, using alternative communication methods, and offering flexible approaches to learning.
Our strategies to support children with sensory sensitivities include regular sensory activities to help children engage with different textures, sounds, and movements in a controlled and enjoyable way. If a child is struggling with sensory overload, we incorporate proprioceptive and vestibular activities into their daily routine, such as running in the garden, jumping, and using exercise balls. These activities can be particularly helpful in preparing children for transitions, such as mealtimes.
Open communication with families ensures that parents feel comfortable discussing any concerns, and we work together to put the best support in place for their child. When external support is needed, we make sure parents understand how outside agencies can provide additional guidance and assistance. “As SENCo, key worker, practitioner, and management, it is vital we are approachable for the parents to come to us with any concerns.” – Zoe
Examples of Adaptations
“Recently, we have been including proprioceptive/vestibular activities into a child’s daily routine. Sensory breaks throughout the day—such as running in the garden, jumping, and using exercise balls—help manage overstimulation and prepare children for transitions like mealtimes.” – Zoe
“We added messy play into an activity to support sensory needs for a child. The activity was with the farm animals. The staff added brown playdough (as mud) to include the other child and spark their interests.” – Lucy
We also embrace conversations about different minds with the children, encouraging an understanding that everyone is unique. Books and stories play a key role in this, helping children appreciate neurodiversity. “Our intergenerational connections with the local care home and Minerva Place at Lymm further reinforce the message that all minds are different, fostering a culture of empathy and respect as some of the residents are also neurodiverse” – Lucy
Designing for Different Minds
Our nursery environments have been thoughtfully designed to accommodate a wide range of needs. One of the first things you notice is our inclusive atmosphere. For children who might feel overwhelmed in traditional environments, these spaces are a breath of fresh air. Quiet corners, sensory resources including tactile materials and adaptable lighting ensuring every child can find their own rhythm.
“The environment is the third teacher, and we wanted to create nurseries that support a child-led, Reggio-inspired approach. The calming colour schemes, as much nature inside and outside as possible, and the addition of a tipi for self-regulation all create a space where every child can thrive on their own journey. We wanted children to feel they have choice and flexibility within their environment. A nursery should acknowledge all members of the nursery family – children, parents, and staff – and we aimed to make it inclusive for all. We worked closely with The McGoff Group to achieve this.” – Jeannie Pickering, Ambassador and co-founder of Back To The Garden Childcare
“Our purpose-built nurseries were designed with children at the heart of every decision. Large windows bring in natural light, creating bright and uplifting spaces, while blinds offer calm, quiet areas for rest. The seamless layout supports children and staff throughout their daily routines. At our Lymm setting, we have also introduced a lift to enhance accessibility. With many years of experience in designing and building care homes, we understood how to create spaces that accommodate all needs.” – Chris McGoff, Director, McGoff Group
At Back to the Garden, we are always evolving, learning, and adapting to ensure that our nurseries remain places where every child and staff member can flourish. We celebrate different minds and believe that by working together, we can continue to build a truly inclusive community.
