White Strand Childcare Abbeyside Dungarvan Co. Waterford 058/40001

 We are an early intervention service for children with additional needs funded by HSE Disability Services.  Children between the age of 2 and 5+ may attend Sesame.  Children are referred to our service by the West Waterford HSE Early Intervention Therapy Team  We are managed by a voluntary management committee. We are a limited company and have charitable status.

 At Sesame we endeavour to provide a safe, caring and happy environment for children.  We recognise the importance of creating a space where our children are comfortable and our parents are confident of the quality of care.  We build relationships with families and work effectively with them by being responsive to their changing needs.  We support families to create a firm foundation for their child’s future.

 Morning Session: 9.00am to 12.00pm  Afternoon Session: 1.00pm to 3.45pm  We are open in line with the National School calendar  We run a three week summer course in July

 Our service is greatly supported by the HSE multi- disciplinary team made up of the following...  Psychologist  Physiotherapist  Speech & Language Therapist  Occupational Therapist  Clinical Nurse Specialist  Liaison Nurse  All of our structures, routines and individual programmes are tailor made and monitored by this valuable team.

 Regulation: It is essential as to assist some children with regulation. Underlining sensory needs can lead to mass deregulation, however with the proper techniques such as deep pressure or stimulation can assist staff to give our children the best intervention possible.  Hello song: Introduction to the day and offers a sense of belonging and routine.  Bubbles/SLT: This allows for one to one engagement which encourages the use of the chosen words such as pop, more and open. This one to one is a fun way to get meaning into every day words, oral motor skills and to develop breath support.  Body Awareness: This is a framework that develops social contact, movement and interplay.

 Floor time: As an additional needs service we are constantly using and referring to the developmental model DIR floor time. There are two goals in floor time. Firstly, to follow the child’s lead and secondly bring the child into a shared world. To follow the child’s lead means to take the cue from the child, a child’s interests are the window to their emotional life. A child feels closer to someone who shows respect for their interests and participates in them. Once a child enjoys having us participate with them we can then begin to help the child towards greater development.  Group work: Music, song and dance are used within our group work. The ability to detect sound and attach meaning to it is the foundation for spoken language.

Table top: Some of the goals for our table top include hand eye co-ordination, fine & gross motor skills, visual perception, pre- writing and sensory. Lunch time: This is a social gathering and encourages the joy of eating with our peers. Personal Care Programme: This develops life skills and independence and encourages a child’s self worth and self esteem. A child’s sense of self love is taught and not a given. Free play: During play time we follow the children’s lead, we assist them to develop their ideas and build their imaginations. Role play is a large component of this and thankfully the Sesame team are not afraid to “act foolish”! Look Hear: This is an exciting listening group. It is used to develop children’s auditory discrimination, concentration and understanding skills. Good bye: This is the round up of the day.

 As a team we carry reflective practice through observations, assessments, reports, team meetings and family interventions.  Throughout the day we provide opportunities for choice, turn taking, creative imagination and individualism.  As a team we are child lead and their voice or attempts at communication is always heard.

 We use the Ropen Logan & Tierney model of nursing which incorporates all the activities of daily living.  This allows us to assess plan and implement individualised care for our children.

 Catriona Cliffe – ID Classroom Nurse  Pamela Morrissey – Childcare Assistant  Karen McGovern – Childcare Assistant  Ann Casey – Childcare Assistant  Eleanor McGrath – Manager  All our team are qualified in their field.  As a service we encourage the strength of each team member and empower our team to develop their skills thus leading to a very happy working and caring environment.

 To sustain and develop this existing quality service.  To strive to meet the needs of our children and future children.  To work in conjunction with parents in addressing identified needs.  To continue to support and empower parents.  To raise the profile of our service and our children and to encourage their involvement in the community.  We are commencing the steps to achieve the Siolta National Childcare Quality Standard. We will be the first early years intervention service to achieve this in Ireland.  We want to ensure that this quality service is made available to all families that need it.  Sesame will become a centre of excellence for children and parents in Co. Waterford.

 We believe that each child is unique and an unrepeatable miracle  Thank you!