Frequently asked questions about the proposed development of a Resource Base at Victoria Park Nursery School

To find more information about the consultation on this proposal, please visit our webpage. [ADD LINK]

What is a Resource Base and who is it for?

A Resource Base is a small, specialist space for children who need extra support with:

• speech, language and communication needs
• autism or social communication difficulties
• sensory regulation needs
• early developmental delay
• emerging emotional or social needs

Children remain part of the school, but have access to a quieter, more structured space when needed.

Some children may already be going through an assessment pathway or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), others may not.

Was the Family Hub moved from the Victoria Park Nursery School site to allow for a Resource Base?

No. The Family Hub has moved to the Phoenix Centre to allow them to increase their offer to families with children beyond five years and up to 19 years old (25-year-olds with SEND)

Will a child attending the Resource Base still be part of the main nursery?

Yes. A key aim of the Resource Base is inclusion.

Children spend time in both the Resource Base for small-group structured sessions and the main nursery rooms.

This helps them learn, play and provide opportunities to build relationships at an individual pace in the wider nursery community.

Will a child attending the Resource Base be separated from their peers?

No. The Resource Base is not a separate school or a standalone unit.

Children stay part of the nursery and move between spaces depending on what support they need at different times of the day.

Does a child need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to attend the Resource Base?

Not necessarily. Children can access the Resource Base if they have emerging needs that require extra support or identified needs that benefit from specialist input.

If a child does have an EHCP, the Resource Base may be listed as part of their provision.

Who will decide if a child is offered a place at the Resource Base?

Decisions are made through a nursery-led process, with oversight from the Local Authority SEND panel, depending on the child's level of need.

• Children with an EHCP: placement at the nursery (including access to the Resource Base) is agreed through the Local Authority SEND panel, following the statutory process. The panel considers professional advice, parental views, and whether the nursery can meet the child's needs.
• Children without an EHCP who require additional support: support through the Resource Base is identified and managed by the nursery. These children remain part of the nursery cohort and receive targeted additional support without needing an EHCP.

In all cases, decisions are informed by:

• the child's current progress and needs
• advice from professionals such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, health visitors, or educational psychologists
• parental views and involvement

Access to the Resource Base is reviewed regularly to ensure children are receiving the right level of support at the right time.

Will the Resource Base replace my child's mainstream place?

No. Your child's main nursery place remains the same. The Resource Base provides additional support on top of their nursery place.

How will the Resource Base help children?

Children usually benefit from:

• calmer, quieter spaces
• small-group activities
• visual and communication support
• sensory regulation tools
• targeted speech and language sessions
• experienced early years practitioners

This helps build confidence, communication and independence before starting school.

What are the benefits of a Resource Base?

The benefits are:

• earlier support leads to better outcomes improving children's communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, and readiness for Reception; this helps stop problems getting worse as a child moves through school
• meeting local need for support, as across West Berkshire we are seeing more young children with communication and interaction needs who require sensory or structured support, and increasing numbers on pathways for Autism or speech and language needs
• supporting inclusion in the classroom with children spending time in the Resource Base for small group, as well as structured sessions and in the main nursery rooms with support
• helping children make a smooth transition to Infants School; children who access a Resource Base typically move into Reception with improved communication, better social and emotional skills, a clearer understanding of their needs, and a smoother transition plan with the receiving school - this leads to more successful placements and greater long-term stability
• a local Resource Base means families do not need to travel long distances for early years specialist provision; it offers consistent support within a familiar setting, which helps children feel safe and confident
• strengthening the early years workforce through providing experienced early years practitioners with improved skills and confidence across the whole nursery, and better support for children with emerging needs - this helps nurseries manage demand and deliver high-quality provision for all children
• providing the right support early can reduce the number of children who later require specialist school places or high levels of individual support
• aligning with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) strategies, including:
  • our SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2024 to 2029 identifies the expansion of Resource Bases and the need to reduce out-of-area placements and travel distances
  • giving every child the best start in life: the government's strategy for improving child development and meeting the ambition found that 75% of five-year-olds in England have a good level of development by 2028

Who will work in the Resource Base?

It will be staffed by experienced early years practitioners and supported by the nursery SENCO (teacher in charge). Staff will have specific training in:

• communication and interaction
• autism
• sensory needs
• behaviour regulation
• early learning and development

Other professionals, e.g., speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists, educational psychologists, may also visit.

Will children attending the Resource Base get full-time support?

Children receive the support they need, but the Resource Base is not a 1:1 provision. Most children will have a personalised timetable, mixing time in the Resource Base and the main nursery.

Will the Resource Base support a child's transition to Reception?

Yes. Children who have attended a Resource Base usually move to Reception with:

• stronger communication and social skills
• better emotional regulation
• a clearer understanding of their strengths and needs

It also helps professionals provide more accurate assessments and transition plans.

Will this mean fewer children go to special schools?

Not necessarily. Some children will still need specialist settings; however, early support helps ensure that:

• children who can stay in mainstream are able to do so
• children needing specialist places are identified earlier with more supporting evidence

Will the nursery change for children not using the Resource Base?

No. All children continue to access the main nursery as usual, in fact, the whole nursery benefits from:

• more trained staff
• improved inclusive practice
• stronger support for all children with emerging needs

When would the Resource Base open?

This will depend on consultation feedback, approval processes and any required building work. Timelines will be clearly communicated throughout through the Victoria Park Nursery School, and the West Berkshire Website, including the Early Years and SEND Local Offer. Given the medium scale of internal construction works required, a September 2026 opening could be achievable, but is dependent on all governance processes progressing smoothly and on time. 

Where is it on the site?

The Resource Base will be situated in part of the former Family Hub.

Will there be any building work required?

There will be some internal works carried out. The existing provision will continue to operate as normal. Any building work will be carefully planned to minimise noise and disruption. Safe access routes will be maintained. The school and contractors will work closely to ensure that pupils' routines, learning and well-being are prioritised throughout the construction period.

Where is the funding coming from?

Funding will come in the form of a grant from the Department of Education's High Needs Provision Capital Allocations. The Resource Base would provide value for money as it would reduce reliance on independent placements and transport expenditure.

What is the indicative timetable?

• pre-consultation:  December 2025
• statutory consultation: January to February 2026
• consultation response analysis and preparation of recommendation report: Late February 2026
• executive meeting for elected members to consider the recommendation: March 2026
• project mobilisation e.g., design, planning, procurement: April to May 2026
• building works: May to August 2026
• staff appointments and induction/training: April to July 2026
• opening: September 2026