New centre for under-fives with special needs set to open in Cheltenham

Following the successful pilot of an Early Years Special Educational Needs centre in Coney Hill, Gloucester, the council has awarded Dingley’s Promise a three-year contract to provide support until 2028, which includes a new centre in Cheltenham.

Dingley's Promise is a national charity that provides nursery provision, holiday playschemes and family support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The children they work with have a wide range of additional needs including cognitive delay, autism, physical disabilities, genetic conditions, and life-limiting conditions.

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. It will build upon the success of the Gloucester centre which has supported over 100 children since opening in 2023. Families who have used it have said that they feel more positive for the future because of the fantastic support they have received.

As well as nursery sessions, both centres 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 support them. 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.

Cllr Philip Robinson, cabinet member for education 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.

“Following the successful pilot of a dedicated Early Years Special Educational Needs centre in Gloucester run by Dingley’s Promise, we are delighted to announce that we have awarded them a three-year contract which includes the opening of a second centre in Cheltenham.

“Dingley’s Promise has extensive expertise supporting young children with SEND, and many make successful moves 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 have such fantastic support from Gloucestershire County Council as we open our second Dingley’s Promise Specialist SEND Nursery to the area.

“Our Gloucester centre has been a huge success, providing vital support to many local children and families, we are excited that many more families in and around Cheltenham can now also benefit from the services and support we provide.”

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