Launch of new centre for under-fives with special needs
The new Ofsted registered centre on Lewis Road, Cheltenham will be managed by Dingley’s Promise, a national charity that provides nursery provision, holiday playschemes and family support for children in the early years with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Cllr Paul McLain, cabinet member for children’s safeguarding, and Kirsten Harrison, Director of Education at Gloucestershire County Council joined Lee Friend, Chief Operating Officer at Dingley’s Promise to welcome families, nursery and education professionals, and the local community to see the new centre and learn more about how it will support young children with SEND.
Dingley’s Promise was awarded a three-year contract by the county council to provide support until 2028, building upon the success of Gloucester which has supported over 100 children since opening in 2023. The new centre in Hester’s Way, Cheltenham will offer up to 16 places per day for children under five to attend their entitlement of early years education.
As well as nursery sessions, the centre will provide a family support outreach service, offering coffee mornings, Stay and Play and information sessions. These are all designed to help families develop support networks, alongside providing strategies and information to help them to navigate their journey and support their child’s needs. Holiday playschemes will also be available for families, offering a safe and practical environment for children with additional needs to play, supported by specialist early years educators.
Alongside its centres, Dingley’s Promise provide a national training programme for early years educators, to increase confidence and skills needed to fully support children with a wide range of additional needs. The courses are ideal for anyone working with children with SEND and designed to support inclusive practice. Settings can also receive a Mark of Achievement, by taking a whole setting approach to inclusion by completing the courses. Gloucestershire has the second highest number of early years settings in the UK to be awarded this accreditation. In addition, the council’s Early Education and Child Development Team are the first Local Authority team to achieve this award.
Cllr Paul McLain, cabinet member for children’s safeguarding at Gloucestershire County Council said: “We want every child to have the best start in life, so they can grow up to live lives of choice and opportunity.
“We are delighted to open a second dedicated early years SEND centre in Gloucestershire and it was a privilege to welcome families to meet staff and see the facilities available at this wonderful new centre in Cheltenham.
“Dingley’s Promise has extensive expertise supporting young children with SEND, and many make successful transitions to mainstream education. This is a fantastic resource for families in Gloucestershire.”
Lee Friend, Chief Operating Officer, Dingley’s Promise said: “We are delighted to open a second centre in Gloucestershire and to work with the local authority teams to ensure that children with SEND in the early years and their families are given the opportunity to access vital early years provision. Thank you to everyone who joined us at the formal opening, we look forward to working with you going forward to transform the lives of local children and families”.
The new centre is set to welcome the first children on Monday 3 March.
Families who would like more information about Dingley’s Promise early years SEND provision in Gloucestershire and the referral and admissions process should email: admin.cheltenham@dingley.org.uk