Our Groups
We offer a range of term-time weekday groups on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as monthly weekend sessions for the whole family.
No diagnosis is required to be part of our community!
The VIP groups
We hold term-time weekly classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The groups are delivered in 4-week blocks per theme. Activities may feature colours, farm animals, numbers, ready-steady-go activities, sensory play, messy play, music, sensory stories and routines.
Each group's themes can vary, depending on the needs and interests of the children within each group.
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The groups we deliver seek to support each individual child’s development in a variety of ways, for example, speech and language development; signing; listening; fine and gross motor skills; peer, child and parent interaction; sharing; turn taking; eye contact; waiting; sensory stimulation; following instructions and supporting choice.
We achieve this by using a range of specific strategic approaches tailored to both the needs of the group, and to each individual child.
We use signalong and boardmaker symbols throughout the sessions, alongside many communication strategies.
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We have funding to offer subsidised spaces, the cost should bever be a barrier for any child to attend. We also offer a free taster session to every child.
Monday Sensory Play
We hold term-time weekly classes every Monday from 10:30 - 11:30 am.
We sing and explore with stories that take us on adventures!
This may include journeys to the ocean, outer space, farms, and even the jungle!
Develop your child's senses with activities that include touch, smell, sight, sound, movement and body awareness.
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Every baby develops at their own pace, however if you have any concerns this maybe the group for you!
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We have funding to offer subsidised spaces. The cost should never be a barrier for anyone to attend.
Forests for All
The forest session is specifically designed for children with additional support needs and their families.
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A great way to connect with nature in a supportive environment, with room to play and be free within a safe space.
This is a free-play session. Boardmaker symbols and signing is used throughout, to support those who benefit from them to make choices.
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This session also welcomes siblings, and depending on children's needs and understanding, can range from activities such as natural painting, hammocks, slacklines, animal and bug hunts, seed planting, musical instruments, sensory woodland stories and much more.
This session is fully funded for families within the EH16 and EH17 area by the THRIVE FUND, but has a sliding scale for payment for those families out with those areas.
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Held on the second Saturday of the month in the woods at Craigmillar Park, sessions are booked in advance through Trees & Seas Outdoor Adventures.
Soup Sundays
Soup Sundays run once a month and are accessible to all past and present VIP families.
It provides the perfect opportunity for parents to get to know each other better, catch up, and enjoy a delicious bowl of warm soup, whilst their children play in the Bothy's enclosed sensory garden.
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Soup Sundays are fully funded, so are free for every VIP family to attend.
A Wee Pedal
The VIP club also works in collaboration with A Wee Pedal, who provide all of the VIP's with monthly bike lessons.
Leanne, founder of 'A Wee pedal', provides all of the bikes, trikes and helmets for the children, and each child is taught using a gentle approach at their own pace.
Leanne also provides the parents with advice and strategies of how to support their child's progress with cycling.