Therapeutic early years environment. 

What makes it therapeutic?
- the way the space is held in the sessions 
- the way all adult facilitators interact with the children (waiting for an invitation before speaking!)
- the way invitations are offered to the children and the way the space is set up. 
- respecting play cycles, noticing what stops the play. 
- the resources and activities on offer encourage exploration and curiosity 
- the physical scaffolding we can offer - play in different positions, allowing time to land before others join… 
- modelling Sociocracy (every voice is equal, delegating responsibility, trust, feedback loops, open communication, active listening with talking stick) 
- modelling NVC - becoming better at recognising feelings as a signal to an inner/ met need, becoming confident expressing your needs and noticing others need. Facilitators and learners. 
- prioritising and holding space and time needed to notice and be in touch with your own flow, feelings and needs. This can be through the timing and space we allow for arrival and landing. Nothing when you wish to eat, allowing individuals to notice invitations in their own time and waiting for their invitations. This is all prioritised over anything else. 
-physical scaffolding and support offered by therapists when needed, until not needed. 
- facilitation offered and all staff trained in being able to notice signs of regulation and dis regulation. 
- VERVE supervision offered for all staff and for all children so we can notice and watch as each child blossoms and develops skills at their own pace 
- quiet 1-1 space available when we offer sessions to continue to develop skills that we can then support individuals to integrate into the day (coordination, communication, play, social interaction, stretching…) 
- individualised approach to settling in, to daily routine, to what learning looks like, to how we recognise progress. 
- strong emphasis on everyone knowing they belong and add value to the community. 
- opportunity integrated into the play, invitations and how we speak to learn about NVC- speaking and listening from your heart. Enjoying authentic connections with each other that energise us, enrich an experience, build integrity and honesty in relationships.