Nursery World - Training Talk

Kanak Patel (pictured) learned about the impact on children of environmental factors at a workshop.

One day, West Wickham’s Bizzy Bees Pre-School joint leader Kanak Patel noticed a girl in her setting avoided her. The next day, she acted normally. ‘Looking back, it was my perfume,’ she says. ‘It wasn’t until I went on this course that I realised.’

How environmental factors affect children was one of many subjects covered by the Portage Workshop Ms Patel attended last year. Portage is an approach to supporting pre-school children with SEND. It emphasises partnership between children, families, educators and other support services.

Bizzy Bees only has up to three children with SEND from 34 daily attendees, but Ms Patel says Portage principles help all children. Delivered by the National Portage Association, the course consists of two days covering Portage principles, including some written work. A week later, there is a follow-up session.

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