Oliver’s preparing for nursery story

Oliver’s mum, Sarah, was feeling overwhelmed and isolated. With her partner working long hours and no nearby family support, she was navigating the challenges of parenting on her own and worrying about Oliver’s confidence and social skills.

After Oliver’s two-year developmental review, he was referred to the local family hub and joined the 'Now I Am 2' programme. Sarah wanted guidance on safe play and developmental support and hoped to help Oliver build confidence and social skills, particularly in small group settings. Busy environments left him feeling overwhelmed, and she hoped that with the right support, he could begin to thrive alongside children his own age.

Week by week, Sarah started to see small changes in Oliver’s behaviour. At first reserved and uneasy, Oliver started becoming more engaged, recognizing the session routines, smiling at the familiar 'Hello' song and greeting the puppet with a high five. Tailored play experiences helped him explore at his own pace and soon he was entering the playroom independently, choosing activities with excitement and showing significant improvements in his involvement and wellbeing.

Sarah also attended parenting courses that boosted her confidence and provided practical strategies for supporting Oliver at home.

As Oliver got ready to start nursery, Sarah received advice and support to help Oliver prepare for the transition, making sure she feels confident and knows how to seek support when needed.

Sarah said the help she received from the family hub “has helped our son improve his focus, exploration, language and knowledge of the outdoors. The facilitators are lovely, friendly and great at encouraging the children.