Cheryl has over thirty years of experience in the Early Years sector as a nanny, family support, LA advisor, SENCO, trainer, assessor, lecturer, and quality inspector. Cheryl was awarded ‘Trainer of the Year’ at the 2022 Nursery World Awards and has written a book called Neurodiversity in the Early Years. She does speaking, writing, and consultancy for parents and Early Years settings, as well as guesting on podcasts.
Cheryl advocates for a celebratory approach to neurodivergent children's development, emphasising that different does not mean deficit. The focus should be on supporting children to communicate and develop in ways that are authentic and safe for them, rather than conforming to "neurotypical standards". Early years environment and support
I would make sure that in every single room, in every single Early Years setting, we have something called 'a place of escape'. We think that all of our children, especially neurodivergent children, need this fandangled, thousands-of-pounds-spent-on-it sensory room for calming. I want to see in every single room, just that little nook, that little space where our children [can go] when they're overwhelmed, when things are getting too much. When they have learned that, in terms of self regulation, that that's something that can support them, there is somewhere where they can go to within the room that is a retreat, is a reset, is a space for decompression that doesn't require extra members of staff, that doesn't require time out with extra members of staff out of the room.
Cheryl Warren, Aperion Training
Cheryl emphasises the importance of building trust and relationships with parents, creating safe spaces for conversations about their children's development. She wants to stop the blame culture towards families and to ensure that families' and children's voices are heard in the SEND process. "You just feel like you're on the attack all the time," says Cheryl, "Or you feel like you're having to apologise for your child all the time. And we have to do that enough. We said earlier about early years being this amazing space. It has to be this amazing space for the whole family, especially when we're talking about neurodivergent families."
Voices need to be heard. We need to stop this whole blame and othering on parents and it has to be reflective of a truly inclusive approach.
Cheryl Warren, Aperion Training
Cheryl describes the current SEND system as being 'in crisis', with EHCPs not being followed or adhered to despite being legal documents.
We do need a needs led approach. Not around a bit of paper, but there has to be something that a parent can hold people to account for. To get the right support that their children are needing in the education system. So it can't just be a kind of pooh-pooh, shun it away, get rid of it and let's leave it open. We've got something that should be robust, but that isn't working.
Cheryl Warren, Aperion Training
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