What is a nurture group?

A nurture group:

• is a small supportive class of up to 12 children usually in a mainstream Primary School.
• provides a secure, predictable environment where the different developmental needs of each pupil are catered for.
• is staffed by two adults, usually a teacher and a learning support assistant and pupils attend regularly for a substantial part of each week.
• focuses on emotional and social development as well as academic progress.
• ensures pupils remain on their mainstream class roll with an expectation that they will return to their class in 2- 4 terms.

Characteristics of nurture groups

Nurture groups have a number of characteristics that should be evident in practice. These were developed by the Nurture Groups Research Project in consultation with members of the Nurture Group Network and staff working in nurture groups. They have been discussed and used extensively by participants on the Certificate course, The Theory and Practice of Nurture Group Work and are key elements for the Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award..

A nurture group should:

• Be located clearly within the policies and structures of a local authority or school continuum of special educational needs provision, either as an integral part of an individual school or as a resource for a cluster of schools.
• Ensure that children attending the nurture group remain members of a mainstream class where they register daily and attend selected activities.
• Have a pattern of attendance whereby children spend part of each day in the nurture group or attend for regular sessions during the week.
• Be staffed by two adults working together modelling good adult relationships in a structured and predictable environment, which encourages children to begin to trust adults and to learn.
• Offer support for children's positive emotional and social growth and cognitive development at whatever level of need the children show by responding to them in a developmentally appropriate way.
• Supply a setting and relationships for children in which missing or insufficiently internalised essential early learning experiences are provided.
• Ensure that relevant national curriculum guidelines are followed for all children
• Be taken full account of in school policies, participate fully, and be fully considered in the development and review of policies.
• Offer short or medium term placements, usually for between two and four terms, depending on the child's specific needs.
• Ensure placement in the group is determined on the basis of systematic assessment in which appropriate diagnostic and evaluative instruments have been used, with the aim always being to return the child to full-time mainstream provision.
• Place an emphasis on communication and language development through intensive interaction with an adult and with other children.
• Povide opportunities for social learning through co-operation and play with others in a group with an appropriate mix of children.
• Monitor and evaluate their effectiveness in promoting the positive social, emotional and educational development of each child.
• Recognise the importance of quality play experiences in the development of children's learning.

What is a nurture group?

Characteristics, 6 Principles & The Boxall Profile
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The Principles of Nurture Groups

The six key principles which underpin practice in a nurture group
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The Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award

Further information
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The Nurture Group Network and the Executive Board

The role of the Nurture Group Network and Network Coordinators...
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What Nurture Groups Achieve

How nurture groups successfully address government priorities for children
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More about The Nurture Group Network

A short history and some key ideas
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