Little Explorers provides a vital lifeline for Derry families
Action for Children staff highlight the importance of high adult-to-child ratios in helping children with physical and behavioural needs to thrive
Time flies when you’re having fun and, for a very special group of local children, they’re just weeks away from graduating from a programme specially designed to meet their needs at Waterside Sure Start.
Waterside Sure Start is fully funded by the Department of Education and is run by a dedicated team at Action for Children in Ebrington Square.
Core aims of Sure Start include improving the ability to learn through stimulating play, improving language skills and the early identification and support of children with additional learning needs.
Every year, dozens of children join Waterside Sure Start’s Developmental Programme for two-and-three-year-olds. However, after the pandemic, Early Years Practitioner Michelle Heath and her colleagues noticed increasing numbers of children with additional needs who would benefit from a smaller group setting with more wraparound support, such as input from professionals like speech and language therapists.
Michelle explains: “The idea for Little Explorers began back in 2021 to better support children coming to Waterside Sure Start’s two-and-three-year-old Developmental programmes who had additional needs – whether that be physical, developmental, behavioural or a combination of these.
“Since then, we have tweaked and reshaped the group but the core aim is the same – meeting children with additional needs, ‘where they are,’ and working with their families and other organisations to give them to best chance to thrive. Our big focus is on emotional wellbeing. As long as they are happy, we’re happy.”
Little Explorers is a small group setting which allows a high adult to child ratio – promoting social and emotional development at the child’s pace. Activities are tailored to the children’s abilities and interests and staff quickly get to know all the little personalities in the room, as well as their parents and caregivers.
Trisha Brinkley, another Early Years Practitioner in the Little Explorers team, said: “To see how much the children develop in just one year never fails to amaze me.” Marie Houston, Early Years Practitioner, added: “We develop such close connections to their parents and caregivers too, which is so beneficial for the children because we’re all ‘working from the same page’ to achieve the best outcomes for the child. It’s very emotional for us all when they move on to nursery.”
Speaking at a recent session, parents of the Little Explorers couldn’t speak highly enough of the programme and its staff.
Kelly, mum to Aoife, said: “It has totally brought her out of her shell – her confidence and self-esteem has gone through the roof.
“Before coming to Little Explorers, she would cry and cling to us when we tried to leave the room. Now she doesn’t even turn around to wave goodbye! Her language skills are coming on too; she’s joining two words together now. Her favourite phrases are ‘Mummy, no!’ and ‘Daddy, no!”
Meanwhile Jade, mum to Jacob, said: “I can’t express how amazing the staff are. As a team they are the most friendly, caring and approachable people. The way they are with my son is outstanding! They identify my son’s needs, put things in place for my son to progress, [he] feels happy and safe while at their programme.”
Lindsay Given, Service Coordinator for Waterside Sure Start, said: “It’s a privilege to get to know every child that comes through our door, as well as their families. Seeing the children develop and progress during their time with us is wonderful and we know we’ve set them up for success when they move on.”
All the staff are incredibly proud of every Little Explorer and the supportive community around them.
For more information about Waterside Sure Start, visit www.tinyurl.com/WatersideSureStart, call 02871 347186 during office hours or search ‘Action for Children Waterside Sure Start’ on Facebook.