1. Our Commitment

Giggle Wiggle & Grow is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment for children and families.

We want children to feel safe, valued and able to enjoy their time with us. We recognise that some children may have special educational needs, disabilities, medical needs, sensory needs, communication needs or additional support needs.

We aim to work positively with parents and carers to understand each child’s needs and consider reasonable adjustments wherever possible.

This policy applies to public soft play sessions, sensory play sessions, café visits, parties, group bookings, school holiday activities and HAF-funded provision.

2. Our Approach to Inclusion

At Giggle Wiggle & Grow, we aim to:

• treat every child and family with dignity and respect;

• welcome children with a range of needs and abilities;

• listen to parents, carers and children;

• make reasonable adjustments where possible;

• provide a safe and supportive play environment;

• avoid discrimination;

• promote kindness, patience and understanding;

• support children to access play and activities where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

We understand that every child is different. Support will depend on the child’s individual needs, the activity, staffing, venue layout, safety considerations and the information provided by parents or carers.

3. What We Mean by SEND and Additional Needs

For the purposes of this policy, SEND and additional needs may include, but are not limited to:

• autism;

• ADHD;

• speech, language or communication needs;

• sensory processing needs;

• learning disabilities;

• physical disabilities;

• mobility needs;

• medical needs;

• allergies or dietary needs;

• emotional or behavioural needs;

• anxiety or separation difficulties;

• toileting or intimate care needs;

• social interaction difficulties;

• hearing or visual impairments;

• any other need that may affect a child’s access, safety, comfort or enjoyment.

A child does not need a formal diagnosis for parents or carers to speak to us about additional support.

4. Public Soft Play Sessions

During public soft play sessions, children must be supervised by their parent or carer at all times.

Parents and carers remain responsible for the safety, behaviour and supervision of the children in their care.

If a child has SEND or additional needs, parents and carers are encouraged to speak to us before visiting or on arrival so we can advise on the venue, facilities, busy periods, play areas and any reasonable adjustments that may be possible.

We may not always be able to provide one-to-one support during public soft play sessions, but we will aim to support families in a practical and reasonable way.

5. Sensory Play Sessions

Giggle Wiggle & Grow may offer sensory play sessions designed to provide a calmer and more sensory-aware play experience.

These sessions may be suitable for children who:

• have SEND or additional needs;

• are autistic or neurodivergent;

• have sensory processing needs;

• find busy public sessions overwhelming;

• experience anxiety in noisy or crowded environments;

• benefit from quieter, gentler or more structured play;

• simply enjoy sensory-based play activities.

Sensory play sessions are intended to be welcoming and inclusive. A child does not need a formal diagnosis to attend, unless a specific session states otherwise.

Where possible, sensory play sessions may include adjustments such as reduced capacity, calmer activities, quieter music, softer lighting, sensory resources, slower transitions or additional time to settle.

Parents and carers should be aware that Giggle Wiggle & Grow is still a play environment, and we cannot guarantee a completely silent, low-stimulation or allergen-free space.

During public sensory play sessions, children must still be supervised by their accompanying adult at all times.

For sensory sessions delivered as part of HAF or school holiday provision, parents and carers should provide information about their child’s sensory needs, triggers, communication preferences, calming strategies and any additional support required before the child attends.

We encourage parents and carers to contact us before booking if they would like to discuss whether a sensory play session may be suitable for their child.

6. HAF and Holiday Provision

Where Giggle Wiggle & Grow provides HAF-funded places or school holiday provision, children may attend without their parent or carer staying on site.

For this reason, parents and carers must tell us about any SEND, medical, sensory, communication, emotional, behavioural, dietary or personal care needs before the child attends.

This helps us consider:

• whether the provision is suitable for the child;

• what reasonable adjustments may be needed;

• whether additional information is required;

• whether a support plan or risk assessment is needed;

• whether staff can safely meet the child’s needs;

• whether the child can safely access activities and play areas;

• whether any additional staffing, equipment or preparation is required.

We will always aim to be inclusive, but we must also consider the safety and wellbeing of the child, other children, staff and visitors.

7. Reasonable Adjustments

Giggle Wiggle & Grow will consider reasonable adjustments to help children access our services.

Reasonable adjustments may include, where possible:

• quieter session recommendations;

• access to sensory play sessions, where available;

• sensory resources or calmer play activities, where available;

• support with transitions between activities;

• visual prompts or simple instructions;

• additional time to settle;

• flexibility around participation in activities;

• seating adjustments;

• support with food or sensory needs;

• allowing essential medical or dietary items;

• agreeing a safe space or calm area where available;

• discussing access needs before arrival;

• adapting activities where practical;

• agreeing a collection or communication plan for HAF provision.

The adjustments we can offer may depend on staffing, capacity, building layout, health and safety, the nature of the activity and the needs of other children attending.

8. Information from Parents and Carers

Parents and carers know their child best. We ask families to share relevant information with us as early as possible, especially before HAF sessions, sensory sessions, parties or holiday provision.

This may include:

• the child’s needs or diagnosis, if applicable;

• communication preferences;

• sensory triggers;

• calming strategies;

• mobility or access needs;

• medical needs;

• allergies or dietary requirements;

• toileting or personal care needs;

• behaviour support strategies;

• emergency medication;

• any known risks;

• details of professionals involved, where relevant;

• anything that helps the child feel safe, comfortable and included.

Parents and carers are responsible for making sure information is accurate and kept up to date.

9. Support Plans and Risk Assessments

For some children, we may need to create a simple support plan or risk assessment before they attend HAF or holiday provision.

This may be needed where a child has:

• significant medical needs;

• a history of absconding or running away;

• behaviours that may place themselves or others at risk;

• complex allergy or dietary needs;

• mobility needs;

• personal care needs;

• significant sensory needs;

• communication needs that affect safety;

• anxiety or distress that may require specific support.

The purpose of a support plan or risk assessment is not to exclude a child. It is to understand how we can support the child safely and appropriately.

10. Sensory Needs

Giggle Wiggle & Grow understands that soft play environments can be busy, noisy and stimulating.

Where possible, we will support children with sensory needs by:

• advising parents and carers about quieter times;

• offering sensory play sessions where available;

• allowing children time to settle;

• identifying calmer areas where available;

• supporting transitions between activities;

• reducing unnecessary stress where practical;

• listening to parent and carer advice;

• encouraging staff awareness of sensory needs.

Parents and carers should be aware that we cannot guarantee a quiet or low-sensory environment during public sessions, parties or busy periods.

11. Communication Needs

We will aim to communicate with children in a way that is clear, respectful and appropriate to their needs.

This may include:

• using simple language;

• giving children time to process instructions;

• using visual prompts where available;

• speaking calmly;

• checking understanding;

• working with parents and carers to understand preferred communication methods.

For HAF or holiday provision, parents and carers should tell us if their child uses any communication aids, signs, visuals or specific communication strategies.

12. Behaviour and Emotional Support

We recognise that behaviour can be a form of communication.

Where a child is distressed, overwhelmed or struggling to follow rules, staff will aim to respond calmly and fairly.

We will consider whether behaviour may be linked to SEND, sensory needs, anxiety, communication difficulties or unmet needs.

However, we must also keep children, staff and visitors safe. Behaviour that is unsafe, aggressive, harmful, discriminatory or repeatedly disruptive may need additional action.

This may include:

• speaking with the child calmly;

• giving the child space or time to settle;

• contacting the parent or carer;

• reviewing support needs;

• adjusting the child’s activity where possible;

• completing an incident record;

• reviewing whether we can safely continue to meet the child’s needs.

In serious or repeated cases, Giggle Wiggle & Grow may decide that a child cannot continue attending a session or future provision if we cannot safely manage the risk.

13. Toileting and Personal Care

Parents and carers should tell us in advance if a child needs support with toileting, continence, changing or personal care.

During public soft play sessions and public sensory play sessions, parents and carers remain responsible for toileting and personal care.

For HAF or holiday provision, any personal care needs must be discussed and agreed before the child attends. This is so we can consider staffing, privacy, dignity, safeguarding and whether we can safely and appropriately meet the child’s needs.

Staff will not provide intimate care unless this has been agreed in advance and appropriate arrangements are in place.

14. Medical Needs and Medication

Parents and carers must tell us about any medical needs, allergies, dietary requirements or medication before a child attends HAF or holiday provision.

Where medication may need to be given during a session, this must be discussed and agreed in advance.

Emergency medication, such as inhalers or adrenaline auto-injectors, should be brought to the venue where required and staff should be informed where it is kept and how it should be used.

Medication should be clearly labelled and provided in its original packaging where possible.

In an emergency, staff may call 999.

15. Access and Movement Around the Venue

Giggle Wiggle & Grow may include different play areas, including the ground floor soft play frame and the upstairs imagination village.

Parents and carers should tell us in advance if a child has mobility needs, physical disabilities, balance difficulties, sensory needs, or any difficulty using stairs or moving between areas.

During public soft play sessions and public sensory play sessions, parents and carers remain responsible for supervising children when moving around the venue.

During HAF or holiday provision, staff will consider children’s needs when moving between floors, play areas and activities.

16. Parties and Group Bookings

If a child attending a party or group booking has SEND, medical needs, allergies, dietary requirements or additional support needs, the party organiser or parent/carer should tell us in advance.

This helps us consider whether any adjustments can be made and whether any information needs to be shared with staff before the event.

Parents and carers remain responsible for supervising children at parties unless otherwise agreed as part of a specific package.

17. Working with Parents, Carers and Professionals

We aim to work in partnership with parents and carers.

Where appropriate, and with permission where required, we may also work with professionals involved with a child, such as schools, health professionals, SEND workers, local authority staff or HAF coordinators.

Information will only be shared where there is a lawful reason to do so, such as safeguarding, safety, support planning, legal obligations or HAF/local authority requirements.

18. Equality and Respect

Giggle Wiggle & Grow expects all staff, visitors, parents, carers and children to treat others with respect.

We will not tolerate discrimination, bullying, harassment or unkind treatment linked to disability, SEND, race, religion, gender, age, family background or any other protected characteristic.

Any concerns about discrimination, bullying or exclusion should be reported to a member of staff.

19. When We May Be Unable to Meet a Child’s Needs

Giggle Wiggle & Grow will always aim to be inclusive and consider reasonable adjustments.

However, there may be situations where we are unable to safely or appropriately meet a child’s needs. This may be because:

• the child requires support beyond what we can reasonably provide;

• the venue layout is unsuitable for a specific need;

• the activity presents a significant safety risk;

• essential information has not been provided;

• required medication or equipment is not available;

• the child’s behaviour presents a serious risk to themselves, other children, staff or visitors;

• additional specialist support is required but not available.

Where this happens, we will aim to discuss this with parents or carers sensitively and fairly.

20. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Information about a child’s SEND, medical needs, support needs or family circumstances will be handled sensitively and confidentially.

Information will only be shared with staff or relevant agencies where needed to support the child, keep people safe, meet legal requirements or fulfil HAF/local authority obligations.

Further information is set out in our Privacy Policy.

21. Complaints or Concerns

If a parent or carer has a concern about inclusion, accessibility or the support provided to their child, they should speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.

We will aim to listen, respond fairly and resolve concerns where possible.

Formal complaints can be made in line with our Complaints Policy.

22. Review of This Policy

This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated where necessary, including where there are changes to:

• legislation or guidance;

• HAF requirements;

• local authority requirements;

• venue layout or services;

• sensory play provision;

• the way Giggle Wiggle & Grow operates;

• feedback from families, staff or children.

23. Contact

Giggle Wiggle & Grow
10 Birmingham Road
Coleshill
B46 1AA

Telephone: 07545 401882
Email: gigglewigglegrowltd@gmail.com
Website: www.gigglewiggleandgrow.co.uk

If your child has SEND, a disability, sensory needs, medical needs or additional support needs, please contact us before attending or booking so we can discuss how we may be able to support your child.