Swindon Early Years Centre

Individual learning targets and sensory singing shaped daily life at Swindon Early Years Centre in October 2023. At its October 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged it Good, found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) flourished, and judged safeguarding effective.

The centre has eight places in total at The Saltway Centre in Middleleaze, Swindon. In October 2023, it supported children aged 0 to 4 through specialist, term-time half-day provision.

In October 2023, learning was shaped around each child's needs and interests. The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, individual targets translated that framework into activities suited to each child.

Morning singing involved toy animals and familiar phrases. Afternoon singing used sensory resources and hands-on assistance so children could participate through touch. Cereal dropped into tins encouraged exploration through sound, while puzzles helped children practise precise hand movements. Outside, a balance bike and a path provided opportunities to practise movement with staff encouragement.

Communication was less consistent. Some practitioners combined signs, visual prompts and spoken language effectively, but others needed to simplify their messages and respond sooner to children's attempts to communicate. For this specialist provision, that was a significant teaching priority.

In October 2023, settling began with staff learning about children alongside their parents. Each child's key person set learning targets, and staff worked with other settings children attended to keep support consistent. A goodbye song brought parents and children together, with staff sharing a highlight from each child's session.

Staff took account of individual medical needs, while family support workers offered outreach addressing parents' physical and mental wellbeing. Supervision, team meetings and targeted training supported staff development. These arrangements connected children's sessions with wider family needs.

Snack-time changes were at an early stage in October 2023. Further work was needed to broaden children's experience of food and strengthen support for healthy eating.

The address is The Saltway Centre, Pearl Road, Middleleaze, Swindon, SN5 5TD.

In October 2023, morning sessions ran from 9am to midday on Monday to Friday. Afternoon sessions ran from 1pm to 4pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Attendance followed school terms only, making this a sessional model rather than an all-day arrangement.

At that date, the centre provided funded places for children aged two, three and four.

• Communication support. The October 2023 improvement priority concerned adapting teaching and responding to children's communication. Ask how practitioners now tailor signs, visual prompts and language to your child.
• Healthy eating. Snack arrangements were being revised in October 2023. Ask how those changes now support your child's dietary and sensory needs.
• Session fit. The October 2023 pattern combined weekday mornings with afternoons on four named days. Ask which current attendance arrangement would suit your child's support needs.

This centre suits families seeking specialist SEND provision built around individual learning needs. Its October 2023 morning and afternoon patterns offered two ways to organise attendance, while key-person targets and coordination with other settings connected learning across children's day. Consistent communication and the development of mealtimes were the October 2023 improvement priorities.