New nursery in Walsall finally able to open after lockdown delays
An 'outstanding' Walsall nursery has been finally able to open its newest facility to support children with special needs.
Covid-19 and the lockdown pressures within the building industry meant the completion and opening of the new classroom at Valley Nursery School was delayed.
But staff and three and four-year-old youngsters were finally able to celebrate when Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes cut the ribbon to officially open the room.
It has been designed to support children with additional needs and will provide a safe and calm environment for them to play and learn in alongside support workers.
It will also be used for family workshops and intervention groups.
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This is the latest good news for Valley, which was given the highest possible rating of Outstanding by Ofsted inspectors earlier this year.
Headteacher Dawn Kelly said: “We are absolutely delighted with our new classroom. It has taken us a long time to complete but the space is amazing.
“Our previous conservatory has been converted and extended to maximum effect and it has enhanced the provision here enormously.
“As soon as we are able we will celebrate in style and invite families in to look around and let them see how we work.”
Liz Sledge, Valley’s special needs coordinator, added: “It’s fantastic that we have this fabulous space which enables us to give the children the opportunity to be taught in a distraction-free environment and where we can support them to make progress with their individual developmental needs.”
As well as getting the classroom completed, Valley continued to support families through lockdown and remained open from March 23 until the wider opening on June 1.
Ms Kelly said: “This was a really challenging time for children, families and staff in school, as it was for every school.
“The demand for places remained high but some families chose to keep children at home, following early government guidance.
“Families faced significant economic and social hardship during this time and school offered support with food parcels, food vouchers and deliveries of homework packs.
“We stayed in touch with absent children and all the staff wrote to their own pupils. The staff were fantastic and worked hard to ensure that their key children were safe and well.
“We even had some family clusters attending with older siblings from other schools.
“All this meant that we were ready for business as usual for September starters and were able to continue to work in bubbles, greet children at the gates at different times and undertake enhanced cleaning routines and hygiene practices.
“Parents have been brilliant and worked with us regarding waiting on playgrounds socially distances and understanding minimum contact with staff
“Lockdown impacted on families and children in so many ways and we are so pleased to see our children back in school again.”
