Sensory Aware Early Years Toolkit

Alice Hoyle is a wellbeing education consultant and author specialising in Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RSHE) and sensory wellbeing. A neurodivergent mum of three neurodivergent daughters, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. With over twenty years in education as a teacher, PSHE lead, youth worker and Local Education Authority adviser, Alice understands how often sensory needs are overlooked in mainstream settings. Alongside navigating Education, Health and Care Plans for two of her children, she has become a passionate advocate for inclusive, sensory-aware practice that helps children and adults feel safe, understood and able to thrive.Tessa Hyde is an Occupational Therapist with 40 years of experience working in the UK National Health Service (NHS) and independent sector. She has authored several highly successful occupational therapy based books for schools. Tessa works with children, settings and families to assess, identify and support their sensory and physical motor co-ordination needs. She has a wealth of knowledge and strategies to support co-ordination and sensory needs at home and at school. Alice and Tessa were neighbours for 10 years. This pair of books was created after Tessa led a successful assessment on one of Alice’s daughters, where the suggested strategies were transformative.Charlotte Forrester is an early years practitioner and owner of two highly regarded nursery settings, rated Outstanding in England and Excellent in Wales. Her practice is shaped by her experience as a mother to three children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Blending personal insight with professional curiosity, Charlotte has developed deep expertise in speech and language, communication strategies and sensory needs for the early years. Her work is rooted in inclusive, child-centred practice and a strong belief in early intervention. Her settings are known for their nurturing, nature-based environments that celebrate individuality, curiosity and resilience.Janet Rose is an early years specialist with a strong interest in the development of young children’s self-regulation. She is currently Principal of Norland College, a specialist early years higher education institution. Janet has led national research projects that have focused on how parents and professionals can support children’s behaviour and wellbeing. She is co-founder of Emotion Coaching UK and has authored several books including Health and Wellbeing in Early Childhood. She has trained in Theraplay, Sensory Attachment Intervention and Sensory Integration, and recently completed a Fellowship in Early Relational Health from the University of Massachusetts.

• Acknowledgements1 Introduction2 What is a Sensory Aware Setting?3 Making Sense of the 8 Senses and Sensory Regulation4 We Are All Sensory5 Becoming a Sensory Informed Practitioner6 Sensory Strategies7 Sensory Environment and Equipment8 Whole Setting Approach9 Conclusion and Next StepsFurther Reading and Resources