Nursery World - A Unique Child: Inclusion - Supporting... Abigail and Isobel

One setting's inclusive approach to caring for twins with Down
syndrome has benefited both the girls and their peers. Marianne Sargent
reports

Since entering the baby room at nine months old, twins Abigail and Isobel Parry, who have Down syndrome, have been growing and developing alongside their mainstream peers. Their setting is Playdays Daycare Nursery, Bolton, and their teacher, Natalie Hope, believes their inclusion in mainstream early years education has had a significant effect on their development and led to their becoming confident and outgoing individuals.

'From a social aspect the girls are definitely happy being here,' says Ms Hope. 'I think it's definitely helped them to be confident without each other. They enjoy each other's company but they have their own friends. When they are in the pre-school room they don't follow each other around; they are off doing their own thing.'

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