Bolton: The Nest wins Nursery World award for 'Inclusive Practice'

Sophie Hutton, a speech and language therapist who specialises in early years and autism, set up The Nest at Canterburys Nurseries in 2019. It is her belief that some children with additional needs would fare better in an environment more focussed on their specific needs as opposed to a mainstream setting.

The institution has been praised not only for the excellence of their educational delivery, but for the support and guidance they give to parents in what can be a traumatic period in their lives.

Teacher Andria Forshaw completing some therapy (Image: The Nest)

The centre has won the Inclusive Practice award from Nursery World magazine, who in their writeup about said: “Many families who had been through challenging times coming to terms with their child’s complex needs and desperately needed a setting that would support, educate and love their family as a whole, flocked to the new setting when it opened.

“Staff at the Nest lead on EHCP applications and ensure all children are placed in schools that are right for their needs. Some children remain at the setting for an additional year until the right education placement can be found.”

The report also mentioned how staff at The Nest work with a range of agencies – such as the NHS and Bolton Council – in order help families get access to the services they require. They even have an autism-specialist barber to come in to cut their hair, as well as weekly swimming lessons.

Craig Henderson from Craig's Barbers cutting the children's hair (Image: The Nest)

The Nest cares for up to 12 children per day and has five full-time members of staff including a speech and language therapist, early years SENDCO and fully qualified teacher.

Ms Hutton said: “We are so incredibly proud to have won this award that recognises and celebrates all of the amazing things that go on in the nest. We all work so hard to ensure that children with special educational needs have access to a nursery environment that is right for them and to be recognised by Nursery World is a huge honour.

“Our goal is to create inclusive education for children with a wide range of additional needs and we hope that we can inspire others to do the same.

“The Nest has only been able to achieve what is has because of my incredible staff team. They understand the needs of each child and their family individually and ensure that all families feel heard and supported whilst providing outstanding education to their children.

Sophie Hutton working with children at The Nest (Image: The Nest)

“We are so lucky that our families trust us with their little ones and allow us be part of their journey. We develop some incredible relationships with our families and build some very special bonds that last way beyond them staying in The Nest.”

Bolton nursery receives 'outstanding' Ofsted report

This most recent recognition is the latest in an impressive year for The Nest, having been recognised by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’ this summer as part of the wider Canterburys Infant and Toddler Centre.

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