Rainbow I - Infant Class

The Rainbow Centre's Infant Class caters for children from 4 years to approximately 6 years of age. However the upper age limit is flexible as movement between the Infant Class and Junior Class is based primarily on ability and the meeting of a child's needs.

The Language-Focused Curriculum

Rainbow I class follows a language–focused curriculum where opportunities for language learning are optimised throughout the school day; during numeracy sessions, at snack time, drama, ICT etc. This way, the speech and language and communication goals and objectives for each child are incorporated into activities in a meaningful social context, encouraging both child-child and adult-child communication.

This language-focused curriculum builds on the Early Years / National Curriculum suitably modified and differentiated to meet each child’s specific needs and provides opportunities for repeititon, overlearning and generalisation.

Cognition, motor, and social skills are fostered through both child-centred activities which promote opportunities for exploration and child-initiated learning, and adult-directed activities which provide the necessary structure and support.

Children learn the relationship between language and literacy through both structured and naturalistic activities which relate to everyday activities.

The developmental level and learning style of each child is taken into consideration throughout in order to ensure success and promote confidence and feelings of self worth.

Spoken language is supported where appropriate by Makaton signs to facilitate understanding and expression of language through its visual representation.

Integration is fostered and felt to be highly beneficial for both unit and mainstream children. Rainbow I children have opportunities to mix with the mainstream children e.g. in Assembly, outdoor playtime, lunch and dance or music sessions.

Speech and Language Provision

Rainbow I staff provide and maximise opportunities throughout the school day to support the development of speech, language and social communication. This is possible due to the level of specialist knowledge, high adult-child ratio, and the work ethos whereby all unit staff are actively involved in the setting of linguistic and cognitive targets for each child.

In addition children receive individual speech and language therapy sessions each week and take part, as appropriate, in small group sessions run by the SLT on Listening and Attention, and the Social Use of Language.

Occupational Therapist Provision

Private arrangements can be made with the experienced independent occupational therapist who visits the Centre each week during term time. Programmes of work are then incorporated by staff into the curriculum.