A TRAILBLAZING nursery which gives both mainstream children and youngsters with additional needs the chance to learn together is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Stepping Stones Play and Learn Group, in Barrack Lane, Colchester, was formed in 1991 at a time when children with physical and behavioural difficulties struggled to access nursery groups.

So nursery worker Carol Nice set up Stepping Stones following parents’ requests to give all children the opportunity to play together.

Her aim was to help children accept each other, regardless of their differences.

Since the group’s inception, its ethos has been to adapt its services to meet the individual needs of every child it cares for.

Sue Townsend, who stepped into Mrs Nice’s shoes following her retirement, said the nursery staff pride themselves on helping mainstream children and special needs children with their learning.

Ms Townsend, the nursery co-ordinator, said the group’s services have grown and grown over the years due to rising demand.

“We are an integrated nursery,” she said.

“Even now we get referred to as a special needs nursery, but we access all the same training as other nurseries.”

The nursery does, however, rely on funding and grants so it can continue to provide one-to-one teaching for its children with special educational needs.

At present there are 13 SEN children and 17 mainstream children at the nursery.

There are a total of 15 staff members who work in the nursery, and half the team have SEN children of their own.

“We have a lot of personal experience with children with special needs and know how the system works,” Mrs Townsend said.

“So we can really empathise and sympathise with parents and try and give them lots of reassurance.

“I think SEN parents, like myself, would like to have a crystal ball to see the future.

“But we tell them not to panic about the future as it can feel overwhelming.”

She said some parents are concerned their child will not become potty trained, while others worry their child will not be able to get a job when they grow up.

Mrs Townsend is one of the staff members who has three SEN children of her own.

She said: “My 21-year-old son has Downs Syndrome, my other son has ADHD and my daughter has dyslexia, so I’ve had a lot of experience and can offer guidance to other parents.

“About 99 per cent of the time you can feel helpless as their parent as there can be such slow progress before you get outcomes as your children may not be able to crawl or speak for a long time.”

But she said progress is still progress, and parents should be proud of the positive impact they are having on their children.

Mrs Townend said the mainstream children benefit from being part of the nursery too.

“The mainstream children have more compassion towards to other children,” she added.

“For example, if a disabled child drops a toy, a mainstream child will pick it up and give it back to them.

“They also hold hands, and that is a great for interaction for a lot of our children who are sensory learners.”

The group can also be helpful for parents.

Mrs Townsend said: “It’s important parents have that connection with other SEN parents as it is a very isolating world when you are a SEN parent.”

Parents, children and nursery staff have had to adapt considerably over the past year due to the Covid pandemic so it is vital to support each other.

“We’ve had to add extra elements of cleanliness and none of the children have had Covid-19,” Mrs Townsend added.

“But you cannot keep two metres apart from a toddler - if they want a cuddle, you give them one.”

As the nation remains in lockdown, the group is going to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a party at the nursery for children and staff on February 22.

Mrs Townsend hopes to hold an outdoor celebration with residents and parents in the summer.

“The community’s support has always been amazing, they have always helped with our fundraisers and we are truly grateful,” she added.

To find out more information, visit steppingstonesplayandlearn.org.