Enhanced Communication and Interaction Provision
The Nest is an Enhanced Communication and Interaction provision based at Birchwood Primary School. It offers eight places for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), aged between 4 and 6 years, who are at the beginning of their school journey.
Placements are allocated by the local authority in consultation with the school, ensuring each child is appropriately matched to the setting in a way that supports both their needs and those of the existing cohort.
Each day begins with regulation activities designed to support each child’s individual development, enabling them to access learning throughout the day. These activities are embedded within the daily timetable and are tailored to meet specific sensory, emotional, and cognitive needs.
We use specialised teaching methods and a personalised curriculum that blends the Early Years Foundation Stage with elements of the National Curriculum. This approach ensures learning is both accessible and progressive, taking into account each child’s unique strengths and areas for development.
Our flexible timetable includes a balance of teacher-led sessions, small group work, communication and interaction-focused activities, occupational therapies, and continuous provision. At the heart of every child’s learning plan is a strong focus on developing communication and interaction skills. Carefully selected resources and scaffolds are integrated into all learning activities to support these core needs.
Literacy and numeracy sessions are prioritised in the mornings, aligning with research that indicates this is when children are most receptive to developing foundational skills. At The Birchwood Nest, we maintain high expectations for every child, supporting both academic progress and personal growth through the development of independence, and social and emotional skills.
Afternoons are dedicated to topic-based learning, delivered through a creative and adaptable approach that keeps children engaged while building on their interests and abilities.
Children attending The Birchwood Nest also participate in wider school life in a way that is meaningful and personalised. Inclusion is thoughtfully planned and supported by staff from both the Nest and the mainstream setting, ensuring children access activities such as library visits, social times, trips, visitors, and whole-school curriculum events.
At the end of each day, children are offered optional therapeutic activities. These promote early understanding of consent, body awareness, and tactile experiences that support emotional regulation. Placing these sessions at the close of the day helps children process their experiences, unwind, and transition calmly from school to home.