THE mum of a Clydebank toddler with Down’s syndrome has praised her nursery staff for the care they provide to her daughter.

A two-minute long video highlighting Kirsty Madziva’s experience of putting Rufaro, aged four, into Brookland Nursery was posted on the Scottish Government’s Parent Club website.

The aim of the clip was to help the parents of children with additional support needs feel less nervous about the thought of their little one going into childcare.

In the video, Kirsty explains: “When Rufaro was born and you’re hit with: ‘You’ve got a diagnosis. You’ve got Down Syndrome,’ your life turns about. Then you just get on board and think: ‘Right okay, let’s go with this’.

“My husband and I both decided that we would go mainstream with Rufaro. I spoke to Lynn, the nursery manager, because Rufaro has got additional needs. Lynn put my mind at rest and from there on it’s history.

“Rufaro loves coming to nursery. She has her friends; she loves the structure and she loves playing outside.

“Sarah Jane, Rufaro’s keyworker, is absolutely amazing. She’s been with Rufaro since the day she came in.”

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The nursery welcomed Rufaro when she was only 10-months-old. And earlier this month, Maree Todd, minister for childcare and early years, asked to go to the nursery on Duntocher Road to pay everyone a visit.

The MSP said: “It was fantastic to see the quality of care provided for children with additional support needs and inclusive activities developed.

“The dedicated practitioners went above and beyond offering high quality, flexible care that is tailored to each child and their family’s needs.

“The nursery’s commitment to in-house training as well as access to external professional learning to develop methods such as Makaton [a basic sign language] is commendable.”

Due to Rufaro being non-verbal and only being able to say a few words, Sarah Jane teaches her Makaton throughout the day - which makes her more confident.

The nursery teacher, who Kirsty described as having a family connection with, said: “Me and Rufaro have had a very close bond since day one. I’ve moved through the nursery with her. I was with her since the first day she started to walk. She makes my job very rewarding.”

Kirsty explained in the video how she thinks children with additional needs need that little bit more nurturing and to be able to get them in to nursery is fantastic.

The mum added: “I just think Brookland Nursery is amazing and when I see how Rufaro has come on, the doubts that I had, I don’t have doubts anymore. I just see a future for Rufaro, and I know that she’s just going to keep going. When I put Rufaro into nursery, I know that she’s in the right place.”