A new specialist nursery has opened in Poole to support children under five with special educational needs and disabilities.
The centre, run by national charity Dingley’s Promise, has been funded and supported by BCP Council and follows the success of a similar setting in Bournemouth. A further centre is planned to open in Christchurch in January 2026.
The Poole nursery, based in a repurposed former Children’s Centre in Branksome, provides short-term placements and child-centred activities based around the early years framework. Its aim is to give children access to targeted early intervention at a crucial stage of development through “learn through play” sessions.
Alongside nursery provision, the centre offers family support outreach, coffee mornings, stay-and-play sessions, and signposting to local services. Holiday playschemes will also run for under-fives, offering respite for families and safe, supported activities for children with additional needs.
Councillor Richard Burton, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills at BCP Council, said he was delighted that under-fives in Poole now had specialist provision close to home. He thanked everyone involved in transforming the site into a new high-quality centre.
Lee Friend, Chief Operating Officer at Dingley’s Promise, said the Bournemouth centre had shown the positive impact of the charity’s services, and the team was keen to grow its support for local children and families.
Cathi Hadley, Corporate Director for Children’s Services at BCP Council, said the new centre would help ensure children had the best possible start in life and were able to thrive in early years settings and schools alongside their peers.
Photo from left to right: Theresa Birch, Regional Manager Dingley’s Promise, Lee Friend, Chief Operating Officer Dingley’s Promise, Paul Reidy, Project Manager BCP Council, Cllr Richard Burton, BCP Council, Tracy Harley, Centre Manager Dingley’s Promise, Catherine McCleod, Chief Executive Officer Dingley’s Promise.
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