Children's centre opens sensory room

A NEW sensory room has opened to the public at the Orchard SureStart Children’s Centre on Hilden Road, Padgate.
The facility – next door to Brook Acre Primary School – has previously only been available to the school, the children’s centre and a nearby nursery.
But now it is available to the public, although it has to be booked in advance.
Laura Savage, support worker responsible for the facility said: “The sensory room is a peaceful environment for all local families to visit.
“Sensory play has long been associated with improved learning, particularly in the early years of children’s life. This is particularly true for those children with disabilities and some special needs.
“The sensory room was created with a view to meeting the needs of these children as well as able children.”
Cllr Geoff Settle, chairman of the Brook Acre Primary Site and Building Committee, said the sensory room was a wonderful addition to the site.
He said: “There are a number of different spaces within the sensory room. “Each space is designed to stimulate children’s senses in a variety of ways, be it through sound, touch, sight or a combination or a combination of all three. Other parts of the room are tranquil and calm places to relax.’
Cllr Settle said he was aware of families who would immediately benefit from the facility and also those who would have done so in the past.
He said: “The nursery children of Brook Acre have enjoyed the facilities in the room. Today I have been watching youngsters and their families experiencing the sensory facilities for the first time.”
Laura Savage added: “In our area particularly there is a high need in terms of the number of children with disabilities, though the service will be available to children Warrington-wide through a booking system.”
Anyone who wants to book the sensory room can do so by contacting the Orchard SureStart Children’s Centre on 01925 816912 or via email [email protected]
Pictured: Laura Savage with Cllr Settle