How We Do Things

About us

Ballymena Integrated Nursery School is a warm, inclusive setting where young children feel known, safe, and curious. We value strong relationships with families and the wider community. Staff notice each child’s interests and build next steps in learning through careful observation and interaction. Our calm, well-planned spaces, indoors and outdoors, help children focus and explore.

Children learn through play at Ballymena Integrated Nursery School. Children play to explore and discover, imagine and create, communicate and collaborate. They are encouraged to lead their learning while skilled staff

observe, scaffold and extend learning through their interactions. Teachers respond to the children’s interests and enhance learning opportunities by offering additional or alternative resources and providing new learning experiences. The children have continuous access to the provision both indoors and outdoors.

At Ballymena Integrated Nursery School, connections are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that strong, nurturing relationships are the foundation for a child's successful learning journey. We take time to get to know each individual child. We explore their interests, their background, and their unique way of seeing the world. This focus extends to connecting with parents and families, as we view you as your child’s first and most important educators. By working closely together, we ensure a smooth and consistent transition between home and school. To help foster these strong, supportive relationships, our staff are trained in the Solihull Approach. This model provides a framework for understanding the

connection between a child's behaviour and their emotional needs. It helps us to:

● 'Hold' the child in mind: We consider the child's perspective and emotional state behind their actions.

● Contain anxieties: Staff use a calm and reflective manner to respond to stress or distress, helping children to regulate their own feelings.

● Foster emotional literacy: By responding sensitively, we guide children to better understand their own feelings and the feelings of others.

We support children to connect with their peers, their feelings and their interests to understand their world.

At Ballymena Integrated Nursery School, we understand that the environment plays a crucial role in a child's learning and well-being. We have created a warm, welcoming, and calming space where every child feels secure and valued.

We pride ourselves on our purposeful, non-cluttered environment, designed so that children can easily focus without overstimulation. The colours and textures

used throughout our classrooms and our educational resources are carefully planned to contribute to the stimulating atmosphere. Central to our approach are open-ended resources both indoors and outdoors.

These are materials that can be used in countless ways, encouraging your child to think creatively, problem-solve, and use their imaginations without limits. A simple block, for example, can be a phone, a cake, or part of a magnificent castle!

Learning extends beyond our walls as the children have daily access to our established outdoor area. This space is an extension of the classroom, providing rich opportunities for physical activity, exploration, and discovery in the natural world.

We also recognise that children learn at different paces and benefit from focused attention. Our setting includes specific, comfortable and sensory spaces for small group or individual support, ensuring every child receives the

support and encouragement they need to thrive.