Creating an inclusive environment in an Early Years setting is essential for fostering the development of all learners, especially children aged 2 to 5.

Inclusivity promotes a sense of belonging, boosts self-esteem, and encourages positive social interactions. As a qualified SEND lead and tutor with over 16 years' experience in the education sector, I have seen first-hand how inclusive settings can help develop the cognitive, language and social skills of their children. But what is an inclusive setting? I see this as an environment where every child, regardless of background, abilities or needs, can flourish and have equal opportunities to succeed.

These children will feel good about themselves, feel safe and feel seen. It can be challenging to meet the needs of all children, but an inclusive environment will do its very best to do so and adapt where needed. With a welcoming and inclusive approach, nursery and play school settings can create a foundation for success and well-being that lasts well beyond the Early Years. 

In May, I will be leading a training session with PATA that will give you the opportunity to explore the importance of creating an inclusive environment in-depth. I will demonstrate how such settings can benefit children and share practical strategies to implement inclusivity effectively. This session will be full of hints, tips and humour along the way! We will look at differentiated learning resources, adapted environments, inclusive language, diversity and how to utilise specialised support. Sometimes it can feel challenging when trying to identify a child's needs, so we will also discuss the importance of external referrals, assessments and how varied the developmental milestones can be. 

You can see information about the course and book here.

I have loved collaborating with PATA to offer training opportunities that are designed to work and adapt with your unique setting. Each and every learning space is different, as is every child, so working together and taking from these sessions what works for you and your children is key.

I really look forward to seeing you there or at another of my training sessions soon.

Kelly Turner