Olivia’s experience at The Children’s Trust nursery
Five-year-old Olivia is a pupil at The Children’s Trust School, starting in the nursery in January 2020. Her family found out about The Children’s Trust School through their Portage team in Merton – an educational support service for children with significant additional needs and disabilities and their families.
Olivia was originally diagnosed with epilepsy at 14 months old, but just a few weeks later a genetic test confirmed that she had Rett syndrome. Rett syndrome is neurodevelopmental disorder that is typically diagnosed between 12 and 18 months of age. It can affect children’s speech and mobility, leaving them unable to walk or communicate.
“Before Olivia started at The Children’s Trust nursery, I thought I would not be able to trust her care to someone else,” explains Olivia’s mum, Julia, “but the staff, the teachers, everyone who works with Olivia does an amazing job for both the children and their parents. I feel incredibly supported and know that we as parents work together with the school for Olivia's benefit.
"It took some time for her to settle in, but the staff went out of their way to make her feel comfortable, loved and cared for, and she now really enjoys it.”
This term, Olivia has transitioned to her new class and seems to have adjusted incredibly well. “She is a resilient young lady,” says teacher Caroline Page. “Olivia is a happy and extremely sociable child who is interested in both people and the environment around her.
“In nursery, she joined in with all activities throughout the school day and would often incline her head towards something she was particularly interested in, for example, kissing a small soft toy which is used in our class relaxation story!”
“This interest encouraged Olivia to start reaching out towards and even grasping some solid items during our sensory stories. She was an absolute delight to have in class and we are excited to see how she will progress during her time at The Children’s Trust School.”
Olivia’s new teacher, Molly Ramsey, has been delighted to see her walking skills progress – something Olivia has been working incredibly hard on. She takes steps whilst being supported and uses her RaceRunner to move around the garden area.
Olivia has also been accessing her EyeGaze device frequently in class and uses it throughout the day, even choosing which friends she would like to work with in our ‘Good Morning Group’ sessions. And she is already a whizz at the custard pie throwing game!
In addition to learning through sensory, messy, and playful activities, Olivia can practice supported walking, and accesses a range of positional changes, throughout the school day. She really enjoys the more physical sessions throughout the week, including aquatic therapy in the hydro pool, yoga, and using the trampoline for rebound therapy.
“Olivia has been using the trampoline in a range of positions including supported standing,” explains Vicky Skinner, Highly Specialist Physiotherapist at The Children’s Trust.
“Ordinarily, Olivia becomes very tired or leans forward in this position, however on the trampoline she engages her core muscles and stands up very straight while only having support at her hips. She is also making progress on her sitting balance and lifting her head up while lying on her tummy.”
Now Olivia is in her third academic year, Julia is confident in the progress her daughter has made during her time at The Children’s Trust nursery. “Olivia is growing and progressing at her own speed and The Children’s Trust supports her every step of the way. We feel very blessed that Olivia has an opportunity to be a pupil there.”
