Golborne & Maxilla Nursery School - Autism Inclusion Base

The Specialist Resourced Provision at Golborne & Maxilla Federated Nursery Schools, 2 Maxilla Walk, London W10 6NQ, is a specialist early years provision for nursery-aged children with social communication needs, including autism. The provision is known as ‘White Room’. Children may have an EHCP or emerging needs that indicate the need for specialist autism-informed educational approaches.

The provision is integrated within the mainstream nursery and enables children to access both specialist support and mainstream nursery experiences. Children are included fully in the daily life of the nursery, following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum alongside personalised learning programmes tailored to their individual strengths, developmental needs, Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and EHCP (Education Health Care Plan) outcomes where applicable.

The provision is supported by specialist teaching staff, the SENCO, and speech and language therapy input. Children benefit from structured teaching approaches, play-based learning and individualised support designed to develop communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, independence and early learning skills. Staff are experienced in supporting children with social communication differences and use a range of recognised approaches, including TEACCH, Attention Autism, SCERTS, Intensive Interaction, Makaton and Autism LevelUP! to help children engage in learning and develop effective communication. Staff draw on expertise from external professionals including link Autism Advisory Teachers, SEN Inclusion Teachers, link Occupational Therapists and link Educational Psychologists. 

The learning environment is carefully designed to be structured, positive and low arousal, with opportunities for children to access therapies that support sensory processing, communication and independence. Children participate in mainstream nursery activities throughout the day whilst also receiving targeted support through small-group and individual sessions including daily Attention Autism (Bucket) sessions, Sensory Circuit, sessions in Soft Play/Sensory Room and Booth Work (Tactile/sensory play, Role Play, TEACHH box activities and Turn-Taking). Each child is an individual and, to reflect this,  teaching and planning is tailored to each child’s profile of strengths and needs.

The nursery works closely with parent/carers to provide bespoke support and advice throughout the year covering speech and language, occupational therapy, emotional regulation, transitions and other key areas. We run half-termly inclusion coffee mornings led by the SENCO and other professionals which provide an open discussion space for parent/carers to share experiences and gain an understanding of ways to support their child at home.