Compassionate child-led learning through play
Case study: Bertie
When Bertie started attending Cornerstone Learning CIC's early years group, he wouldn’t sit still at all—he’d run in and out of activities, completely uninterested in staying put. But these sessions sparked something. He began showing more eye contact, and that in itself felt like such a big win.
Communication felt almost impossible
When I first heard about the SEN alternative provision setting, it was through Carina—someone I already knew locally. I trusted her, and that connection made it feel a little easier to take the first step. At the time, I was really struggling. My little boy, Bertie, is non-verbal and has significant developmental delays. Communicating with him felt almost impossible, and honestly, I was completely overwhelmed and anxious. I didn’t know what to do, or where to turn.
Coming to the group changed everything for us.
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Right from the start, I felt like I’d found a safe place—not just for Bertie, but for me too. I could share what we were going through without fear of judgment, and learn from Carina and the other parents who truly understood. I wasn’t alone anymore.
The team's support made a world of difference
I’d tried taking Bertie to other groups before, but it never worked. He hated being there, and his unpredictable behaviour left me constantly on edge. But here, it was different. We were surrounded by families going through the same thing. Nobody stared. Nobody judged. We were all in the same boat—and that made such a difference.
Through a lot of hard work and with the incredible support of the team, I managed to secure a place for Bertie at a special school. That has made a world of difference for us. When you’re new to this journey, it’s so difficult to know where to begin, and you're trying to figure it all out while also caring for a child with additional needs—it’s exhausting and emotionally draining. This setting helped me see a path forward.
Somewhere I felt understood. Somewhere I could breathe.
The support I received from Carina was absolutely amazing. She’s one of the kindest, calmest, and most knowledgeable people I’ve ever met. When I felt like I was drowning, she was there. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without her. She doesn’t just know how to help our children—she knows how to support us as parents too, and that matters so much when you’re going through this.
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Now that Bertie has moved on to school, things are a bit easier. But I’ll never forget what this setting gave us during such a dark time. It wasn’t just support—it was a lifeline. Having a child who’s different can feel incredibly isolating and it puts an enormous strain on families. But here, I had somewhere to go where people understood. Somewhere I could breathe.
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I would recommend this setting to any parent of a child with additional needs. We need more places like this—places that offer real understanding, real support, and real hope.
Written by Bertie's Mum