A Sensational Experience

Here at YMCA Day Nursery, we have a fantastic multi-sensory room thanks to a generous donation from Thomas Cook Children’s Charity, which has enabled us to install some rather high tech equipment. The building was previously a bank which contained a large safe room on the ground floor which has now been transformed into a sensory sanctuary. It is enclosed, has no windows and is ideally situated for a unique space for the children.

The children here at the YMCA Day Nursery have unlimited access to this incredible facility and we offer out of hour, individual visiting sessions for parents and guardians who wish to spend extra time in the sensory room.

The concept of the multi-sensory room, or “Snoezelen” room, as it is also known, was first developed in the Netherlands in the 1970s. The multi-sensory room is designed to block out noise and light to focus on using multi-sensory equipment to artificially control light, sound, smell and touch for the stimulation of the senses. It is an ideal space for children and babies that have complex support needs such as Autism and Aspergers, but all of our children love the time they spend in there.

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The sensory room is equipped with a large range of sensory resources for children to explore, including bubble tubes, uv lighting, interactive floor tiles, instruments and more. These can,

• Increase concentration and focus attention
• Develop or reactivate senses of hearing, sight, smell, touch, and taste
• Heighten awareness and improve alertness
• Improve coordination and motor development
• Promote cognitive development by increased brain function
• Lead children to explore their environment
• Provide security
• Be an unrestrained atmosphere where participants feel able to enjoy themselves.
• Improve creativity
• Stimulate the sensory building blocks
• Develop of a sense of cause and effect
• Develop language – more vocalization
• Promote social interactions
• Promote mental and physical relaxation  – Stress levels drop dramatically
• Result in more calmness and lower aggressive behaviours
• Increase opportunity for choice and self-determination
• Improve communication and sharing
• Lead to non-responsive children becoming communicative

It provides all children the opportunity to explore different aspects of the world. It enables children to explore safely and interact with objects and resources that they may not usually come in contact with. Sensory play can also help to further enhance children’s play and imagination.

Last but by no means least, the children have lots of fun! A sensory room can be a place where children feel happy whilst stimulating their senses in a stress-free way, with no distractions.

If you would like to come and visit our Nursery and see our unique multi-sensory room, call us on 0191 282 8137