What to expect from our SEN nursery

At First Bridge Education, our SEN nursery is a place where every success, however small it may seem, matters. Each child’s day is built around consistency, connection, and carefully planned support. We work closely with families from the very first visit, explaining what we do and why it helps, so that you can feel confident and reassured about each step your child takes.

A quick overview for parents

• Your child will be supported in a purpose-built SEN nursery for children aged 2 to 5 years, specialising in autism and related developmental profiles.
• We use a therapy-led and education-rich approach, combining evidence-based behavioural intervention with a carefully differentiated curriculum that incorporates the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
• You do not need a formal diagnosis or an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) for your child to begin the admissions process.
• We are open up to 46.5 weeks of the year, helping maintain learning momentum and stability.

What makes our specialist SEN nursery different?

At First Bridge Education, every element of our specialist nursery is shaped around early intervention. We know that the years between 2 and 9 are a crucial window for learning, language, and social development, and that timely, consistent support can make a lifelong difference.

Our teaching and therapy are based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), an evidence-based approach that helps children build meaningful skills step by step. ABA focuses on how children learn, breaking new skills into small, achievable stages and using positive reinforcement to help them succeed. Over time, these successes grow into lasting progress in communication, play, and independence.

What makes our nursery unique is how seamlessly this therapeutic approach is woven into everyday learning. Rather than separating “therapy time” from “classroom time”, ABA informed practice guides how our teachers and therapists plan, teach, and interact throughout the day. Every song, story, and routine becomes a learning opportunity, always at your child’s pace.

Our classrooms are small, structured, and calm, led by teams who understand how to balance gentle guidance with clear expectations. This combination of early intervention, 1:1 and small-group ABA therapy, and a specialist educational curriculum helps each child grow with confidence, curiosity, and joy.

Our admissions and assessment process

Our admissions process is transparent and supportive. Our approach is personal, compassionate, and built around your family. Whether you’re looking for support, clarity, or the right environment to help your child thrive, our friendly team would be delighted to speak to you.  

Starting your journey with First Bridge Education begins with understanding your child as a whole person. We need to understand how they learn, communicate, and what motivates them. Our Suitability Assessment is an essential part of this process. It gives us the time and space to get to know your child as an individual, ensuring they are placed in an environment where they can truly flourish.

By observing how your child engages and responds, we can make sure our teaching approach, environment, and specialist support are the right fit. This helps your child begin their journey with confidence and gives you peace of mind that you are making the right choice for your family.

At First Bridge, we use the evidence-based therapeutic intervention method of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to support children with autism, speech and language needs, global developmental delay, and related developmental profiles. By beginning with a thorough Suitability Assessment, we ensure that every aspect of this support is tailored, targeted, and timely.

Importantly, the Suitability Assessment is not a diagnostic process. Its purpose is to identify whether our integrated approach is suitable for your child and to design the right foundation for their learning journey. If we both feel that First Bridge is the right fit, we create a personalised placement proposal and begin a phased introduction to help your child settle with confidence.

How does funding and placement work?

We accept private-funded places and support local authority referrals. During your initial contact with our admissions team, we discuss both routes and help clarify the pathways available. We are committed to making the entry process as transparent and supportive as possible.

How we tailor learning and set targets

From the outset we observe your child to understand their strengths, motivations and learning style. We design individualised programmes which combine our ABA therapy model with educational goals. These include areas such as communication and language, social-emotional development, physical development and foundational academic skills. You are involved from the start, and progress is monitored continuously

What if my child doesn’t already have an EHCP?

That’s absolutely fine. Our programmes are designed for children whether they have an EHCP or not. What matters most is their learning profile, needs and potential. Our specialist team (including clinical supervisors) works on 1:1 and small-group therapy and education throughout the week, ensuring your child receives the continuity and consistency specialist settings require.

How we keep you informed and engaged

Partnership with families is central to our approach. We believe effective communication between you and our team supports better outcomes for your child. Regular meetings, parent training and open channels of communication ensure you are always part of the journey.

What is our SEN nursery like?

In our specialist nursery you will find purposeful spaces designed for children who benefit from structure and clarity. Our curriculum and therapy-model are embedded in bespoke learning areas, with indoor and outdoor spaces used to full effect.

Our classrooms feature accessible storage areas designed to encourage communication and independence. In our spacious garden, we have a swing, climbing frame, scooters and bikes as well as a variety of age-appropriate play equipment to encourage collaborative and imaginative play.

We also have indoor and outdoor sensory spaces for moments of calm when needed.

Visit our SEN nursery

The best way to understand our nursery, is to see it in action. We would be delighted to welcome you to visit us in Imperial Wharf, London (SW6), for a show-around. You’ll meet with our admissions team, observe how children engage, and feel the warmth and structure of our environment.

Contact our admissions team to learn more about our approach, programmes and placement options. We’re here to help you feel confident in taking the first step in supporting your child’s learning and development.