SEND Support
SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. It’s a term used to describe children and young people who have a learning difficulty or disability that makes it harder for them to learn than others of the same age.
Children with SEND may need additional or different support to help them reach their full potential.
EXPLORERS PLUS
Explorers Plus was developed in 2022 by Early Years Alliance (EYA) to support families who have a young child with SEND.
EYA and Lewisham Inclusion Team, Portage and Lewisham Family Hubs are now jointly supporting Explorers Plus stay and play sessions for families with a child aged 0-5 years with SEND. You don’t need a diagnosis to attend, and you don’t need to book, just turn up on the day – you will be made very welcome by the team.
The sessions are now partly funded by the Leathersellers Foundation.
Come and join us for this fun and relaxed play session if:
- You are concerned about any part of your child’s development.
- You are concerned about your child’s speech and language
- You are waiting for an referral to a service at Kaleidoscope.
- Your child has a social or communication need, developmental delay, physical disability or sensory need
- Your child struggles with play.
- You are concerned about your child’s behaviour
- You have struggled to find a Stay & Play session that allows you and your child to play and learn without judgement.
- You would like to talk to someone about your child
Our friendly team will help support your family with:
- entering the sessions if they struggle with new people and surroundings.
- settling in at their own pace and in their own way.
- choosing activities that interest them and allow them to free play (there’s no routine).
- accessing sensory, messy and outdoor play.
- learning new skills at their own pace.
- playing alongside other children (not with them if this is a challenge for them)
- signposting to charities and support groups that could help you and your family.
- meeting other parents in the same situation as you.
- learning more about some of the benefits or other support you that you may be able to access.
Explorers Plus is a non-judgemental space for you to play, learn and have fun with your child.
- Tuesdays 10.00am – 11.30am Bellingham Family Hub 109 Randlesdown Rd, SE6 3HB
- Wednesdays 1.00pm – 2.30pm The Camelot Centre 50 Meliot Road, SE6 1RY
- Fridays – 10.00am – 11.30am Deptford Family Hub Alverton Street, SE8 5NH
What our parents and carers say:
“My son enjoys and always looks forward to coming to his playgroup. My son has speech delay, slurred speech and is awaiting a diagnosis for Autism and ADHD. When he comes to this playgroup, my son gets to socialise and further develop his social skills, something that he finds difficult to do. Additionally, he gets to express himself a lot more through messy play and outdoor play, which is something he can’t do much at home because of where we live. Playgroup allows him to play and discover new toys he doesn’t have at home.” parent at Explorers Plus
“My two little ones love coming here. The activities are so child-led and they love to explore and play. I get lots of ideas of what do at home, and …..they have loads of expertise and support to offer. The atmosphere is so welcoming and my children are able to develop their concentration and confidence. There is no other setting that they engage so well in. I think M is relaxed by all the sensory and messy play and this helps him and his behaviour. They have formed trusting relationships with staff which helped them prepare for nursery. I am inspired by the lovely way staff interact with and included the children and I think this has helped my parenting. This session is amazing and means so much to me and two children, thank you. Reception staff also have the same lovely child friendly approach.” parent at Explorers Plus
Explorers Plus materials developed by Early Years Alliance
Supported by the Leathersellers Foundation.
For more information please read our blog posts on SEND subjects.
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