Three-year old Luke has Cerebral Palsy and attends Communicare Pre-School, where Special Needs Co-ordinator Vicki Frederick, has supported him on a one-to-one basis since September 2001.  Luke's mother, Liz, says that he has gained greatly from this relationship with Vicki and now has much more confidence than before.  Previously he had found the social and physical aspects of attending nursery more difficult, despite the kindness shown by the nursery staff at Communicare.  Luke's parents have also gained confidence through knowing Luke has continuous support from his own individual project worker.

 

Thomas (aged 2) has Down's Syndrome and for the past year he has been supported at Avranches Day Nursery by Melinda Allen.  His mother, Catherine Tyrrell says that he is very happy and it gives her peace of mind to know that he is receiving this additional one-to-one support, which helps him to communicate and join in with the other children in the nursery.

 

The parents of one child, Mia Coombs-Goodfellow, explain "Mel has been a tremendous support to Mia since she started working with her at Avranches Day Nursery in April last year and this has been so reassuring for my husband and I.  It is very comforting to know that Mel is working hard with Mia during her time at Nursery when we are unable to be with her.  I see Mel most days which gives us the opportunity to discuss what she has been working on with Mia and how she is progressing with the targets that have been set by the team involved with Mia's development.  We work very much as a partnership in that Mel is working on the same topics as we are at home and it is very obvious that Mia has every confidence in Mel and likes her a great deal as she always appears very happy.  Mia is continuing to make good progress and we can't thank Mel enough for all the hard work she puts in to assist Mia in achieving her goals, it is much appreciated and I hope Mia will thank her herself one day!!"