The Nest

The Nest: SEND Provision at Uplands Infant School

Welcome to The Nest, Uplands Infant School’s internal alternative provision for children aged 3-7 with more complex Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Nest supports pupils in Nursery to Year 2 whose communication, interaction, sensory or developmental needs mean they require a highly personalised, structured and nurturing environment, while still remaining valued members of our school community.

The Nest provides a calm, predictable and relationship‑centred space where children can learn at their own pace, build communication and independence, and develop the foundations they need to thrive.

Our Vision

At Uplands Infant School, The Nest exists to ensure every child:

  • feels safe, understood and emotionally regulated
  • accesses learning that is meaningful, achievable and developmentally appropriate
  • experiences success every day
  • develops communication, interaction and early social understanding
  • receives highly structured sensory and emotional support
  • builds independence, confidence and resilience
  • remains connected to the wider school community, with supported inclusion where appropriate

We work closely with families and external professionals to create individualised pathways for each child.

Who The Nest Is For

The Nest supports pupils who:

  • have significant communication and interaction needs, including autism
  • have sensory processing differences requiring a low‑demand, structured environment
  • require tailored learning that cannot be fully met in a mainstream classroom
  • benefit from predictable routines, visual structure and personalised adult support
  • need supported inclusion opportunities within the wider school

Placement decisions are made collaboratively between families, the SENDCO, senior leaders and, where relevant, the Local Authority.

Our Environment

The Nest is designed to reduce anxiety, increase engagement and support communication. Key features include:

  • Low‑stimulation classroom focused on the prime areas of the EYFS
  • Carpet area for group teaching
  • Continuous provision tailored to sensory and communication needs
  • Access to a disabled toilet and changing area with changing bed
  • Calm breakout spaces for small‑group interventions
  • Soft play area with timetabled sessions for gross motor development
  • Outdoor learning area
  • Total communication environment with visuals, symbols and prompts

Specialist Approaches and Interventions

Children in The Nest access a range of evidence‑informed approaches, including:

Communication & Interaction

  • Intensive Interaction
  • Attention Autism
  • Colourful Semantics
  • Fun Time social communication groups
  • Curiosity Corner
  • Speech and Language Therapy programmes
  • Total communication strategies (visuals, modelling, simplified language)

Regulation & Sensory Support

  • Messy play and sensory exploration
  • Sensory circuits
  • Soft play sessions
  • Calm, low‑demand spaces
  • Movement breaks
  • Support with feeding and lunchtime interaction
  • Sensory‑based emotional regulation activities

Cognition & Learning

  • Early maths through practical, hands‑on activities
  • Pre‑phonics and engagement‑based sessions
  • Stand‑alone phonics or maths sessions where appropriate
  • Structured play and continuous provision
  • Workstations, when appropriate, for independence and task completion

Assessment and Individual Planning

Children in The Nest are assessed using:

  • Early Years Framework
  • Dingley’s Promise developmental framework
  • SEND Individual Support Plans (ISPs) or EHCP outcomes
  • Graduated approach documentation
  • Specialist assessment tools for communication, engagement and regulation

All children either have Element 3 funding or are in the process of securing it.

Targets are reviewed termly, or sooner if achieved.

Inclusion Opportunities

Although The Nest is a specialist provision, pupils remain fully part of Uplands Infant School.

Children may join mainstream classes for:

  • story times
  • assemblies
  • appropriate curriculum sessions
  • celebrations and trips
  • classroom routines
  • peer interaction opportunities

Inclusion is carefully planned, supported and personalised to ensure it is positive and successful.

Entry & Exit Criteria

Uplands Infant School uses a clear Entry and Exit Criteria model to ensure that The Nest is the right provision for each child.

Entry Criteria Exit Criteria
Children with an EHCP naming Special or DSP provision Can access the curriculum with adaptive teaching methods, differentiated work (heavily scaffolded if needed), and possible adult support
Children in the process of EHCNA where DSP or Special provision has been agreed Can participate in some inclusion opportunities in a small group within mainstream classes, with adult support
Children with Element 3 funding in place and enduring needs The gap has narrowed to less than 1 year below Age-Related Expectation
Significant communication & interaction difficulties 2 years below Age-Related Expectation) DSP or Special School placement is offered
Significant cognitive delay (over 2 years below Age-Related Expectation) Parents/carers are no longer in agreement that alternative provision best meets the child’s needs. SLT has reviewed and agreed the child can return to a mainstream class with a high level of support (requires regular review)
Quality first provision is in place in class; however, if the child has not made progress with proven interventions and requires a high level of support, this has been discussed and agreed by the Senior Leadership Team
Parental agreement following discussion of the internal alternative provision being offered
Identification by the SENDCO and Head teacher of children who would benefit from a place in the Internal Alternative Provision

These criteria guide decisions around:

  • readiness for specialist provision
  • progress within The Nest
  • suitability for supported reintegration into mainstream
  • when a specialist placement may be more appropriate

A Day in The Nest Might Include:

  • Meet and Greet
  • Hello Time
  • Sensory regulation or movement sessions
  • Soft play
  • Workstation time
  • Early maths
  • Pre‑phonics or Attention Autism
  • Sensory story
  • Messy play
  • Outdoor learning
  • Snack preparation and life skills
  • Play interaction
  • Calm‑down time

Learning is always balanced between nurture, structure, communication and play.

Our Commitment

We are committed to ensuring that every child in The Nest:

  • feels safe, supported and known
  • develops essential communication and interaction skills
  • builds independence and confidence
  • experiences success every day
  • accesses mainstream learning where appropriate
  • is celebrated for who they are

At Uplands Infant School, we believe every child can flourish with the right support, relationships and environment.