Carrying out an Audit to Support all Children
It is helpful to regularly walk around your environment, noting areas that may be challenging for children with different needs.
Click on the following areas to identify what you can think about :
Accessibility
Remove furniture that might be in the way. Make sure that children and young people can easily use the furniture and spaces in your setting.
Sensory stimuli
Do you have quiet spaces available- you can make a den by putting a large table cloth or blanket over a table;
Are there places to go if you need sensory stimulation – think about creating wall collages with different textures.
Visual aids
Do you have a visual timetable, how do you refer back to the visual timetable so that children know where they are in the day / session?
How are your resources and room areas labelled – with writing or with photographs?
Do you have photos of staff members?
Timetable
Do you have choices for each child’s needs?
Are there a range of individual and group activities?
Is there a balance between more energetic and less energetic activities?
Adapt
Have you adapted your activities to ensure that all children can access them?
If you would like to download the above checklist you can do so here.
Develop a plan to address these barriers, such as rearranging furniture, providing sensory-friendly areas, or implementing visual aids.
This activity encourages proactive planning and continuous improvement in creating an inclusive setting.
Inclusive practices often involve simple, and thoughtful, adjustments that differ based on the needs of each child. Even something simple can have a big impact.
Remember we are trying to include all children and not segregate children with differing needs into different activities and areas.
Optional: an activity for you to do with a colleague or your wraparound staff team
Book a 10-minute slot with a colleague.
Take the barriers you identified just now and discuss with a colleague potential solutions.
For example, If you have identified a physical barrier, think of an adaptation (e.g., ensuring that pathways are wide enough for wheelchairs or creating flexible seating options).
If you identified a sensory barrier, consider how you can reduce overstimulation (e.g., by having designated quiet spaces or offering sensory-friendly play items like fidget tools).
For social or communication barriers, think about how you can incorporate alternative communication methods such as Makaton signs, visual aids, or picture cards.
Practical ideas
Here is some footage of how a setting with very little room created a sensory area, ensuring that it is away from the main group:
Download this document covering practical strategies for creating sensory areas
Thanks to Slough LA for sharing this!
Here is a practical tool you can use…
How will you use what you have learned to make a difference?
Think about two things you could do to make your setting more inclusive for everyone. Plan how and when you are going to do this.
Use the following checklist to help you think through this…
What will we do
Who will do this?
What difference will I be able to see?
How will we know when this has been done?
When will we do this by?
When will we check to see it has been done?
Planning for inclusion isn’t just about reacting in the moment; it’s about preparing in advance. Children with disabilities may need additional time to adjust to changes, require specific communication methods, or benefit from structured routines.
Planning for flexibility will help all children thrive in your setting. This could mean spacing out high-energy activities with calming sessions, making sure children have access to visual timetables, planning more potentially risky activities (such as trips out or less structured activities) for once you have got to know the children or young people better, or making sure that there’s enough support for particular activities.
As we come to the end of this section you will have reflected on practical strategies for inclusion. As you consider these, don’t forget that if you are going out of the setting on a trip or visit you will need to think this through carefully.