12-04-2025
Parents plea to review decision to close SEN nursery
Parents have banded together and asked Hampshire County Council to review its decision to shut a special educational needs nursery in Eastleigh.
Those who have had their children go through Aviary Nursery told the Echo how important it has been for their development amid news that the building will close at the end of the academic year.
Leanne Blair's eldest son Harry went to the nursery between 2022 and 2023, and was non-verbal when he started.
"When he first went, Harry was a sad little boy, he didn't know how to communicate with us," Leanne said.
"He would take our hands and try to show us what he wanted, he couldn't point or anything like that, he knew what he wanted he wanted but he couldn't get the point across to us."
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Leanne explained that the staff at Aviary Nursery "really helped" with his communication, teaching her the skills she needed to communicate with her son.
"By the time Harry left he was using basic Makaton signs and basic words of communication," she explained.
Her youngest son Zach was in consideration to start at Aviary in September, but Leanne says she now "doesn't know what to do" when it comes to his education.
She said the nursery would "absolutely be a big miss" if it closes.
Jade Davies' son, who has severe autism and is also non-verbal, went to three different mainstream pre-schools before going to the Aviary.
"One was neglectful but the other two just can't meet his needs," Jade said.
"That's understandably not their fault, they can only give so much support to one child."
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After a panel meeting, he was able to go to the Aviary, but Jade worries what could happen for other parents who are not lucky enough to get a space in a specialised school.
She said: "Without the Aviary, I don't know where he be. I don't understand how the council can say children will go else where because these children can't go elsewhere. It is madness."
In response to concerns, Hampshire County Council confirmed that support would still be given to children in Eastleigh from September via "mobile SEN support service".
A spokesperson said: "With this service, specialist staff travel to see individual children in the setting their parents/ carers have chosen for them.
"This type of support mirrors the way services are provided in other parts of the county, enabling staff to support more children who require specialist help."
