What systems and strategies do you have in place to identify children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?
Little People pre-School has a team of qualified and experienced staff who will observe and assess each child’s development on a regular basis. We use a keyworker system to ensure good relationships are built between staff, children and parents. We use the EYFS as a tool to support and monitor a child’s development. Staff will complete a variation of observations on each child to find out what stage a child is at, we always complete an initial assessment on each child which will include information from yourself (all about me form).
This will then be reviewed to mark progress or may help to spot any delay or special educational need. Any concerns that staff have will be discussed with the setting SENDco and management, all findings will be recorded and parents will be fully informed. We believe a good relationship with parents is key to us giving each child the help and support they may need. We communicate daily with parents and have regular parent meetings to discuss your child’s development with you.
We will always find time to talk to parents if they have any concerns or want more information about how their child is progressing at pre-school. We work closely with outside agencies and can access further help if needed from support workers, speech and language therapists, health visitors, paediatricians, and many others.
How will you support my child and how will you communicate effectively with me?
We work in close partnership with parents to ensure that each child’s needs are individually met. We will work closely with any other outside agencies such as Health Visitors, Speech and Language therapists, setting support workers, Portage and Local Authority professionals.
These close partnerships will help us identify any needs and give the support that is needed. Our Setting SENDco will work closely with families who have a child with any Special Educational Need or Disability.
The SENCO also works closely with staff to ensure all children are developing and progressing well. Next steps are discussed and relevant activities will be planned to help each child. Parents are invited to attend regular meetings to discuss their child’s progression and development.
We talk to parents at the start and end of each session their child attends, this ensures as much information is shared as possible. Every child’s development is assessed by their keyworker, the setting SENDco will work closely with the keyworker’s to ensure that each child makes good progress and reaches their full potential. When planning we take into consideration each child’s individual needs and interests to support their learning.
How will the teaching and learning be matched to my child’s needs?
We plan for all children’s individual needs and interests. A lot of thought is put into setting up the room, this includes a lot of consideration for any children with Special Educational Needs or Disability. Before a child starts we ask the parent to complete an ‘All about me’ form to help us to ensure we know as much as possible about the child and help us to understand their interests, likes and dislikes.
We complete an initial assessment on each child to give us an idea of what stage each child is at. This is reviewed termly and discussed with you at parent meetings. Staff will plan relevant activities to help children reach their next steps. The environment is made suitable for all children that attend. We work closely with a setting support worker and have access to further resources that may be needed to support a child’s learning.
We work closely with health visitors, speech and language therapists, children centres and any other professionals that is required to make sure we have the best possible care for every child.
How will you know how my child is doing and how will you help me to support my child’s learning?
All staff are qualified and trained in child development, we observe and assess each child’s development on a daily basis. The setting SENCO has spent her career working with children and young adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Regular training is attended by staff and regular monthly team meetings are held to ensure we are all aware of each child’s needs.
Regular meetings and feedback with parents will keep you well informed of your child’s progress. Each Child’s development is recorded and monitored for progress. We use SEN support plans and receive detailed reports from external professionals. We can support you by keeping you informed of your child’s learning and advise you of any other help you may be entitled to. We will fully support you in the process of referrals or any questions you may have.
What support will you provide for my child’s overall wellbeing?
One of our main priorities is the wellbeing of each child, we provide a happy and caring environment for your child to be. Before each child starts we talk to parents and ask them to complete an ‘all about me’ form about their child. This gives us an idea of any interests, likes or dislikes and will help us to settle them in. We operate a keyworker system to build close relationships with staff, children and parents.
This also ensures each child is monitored and observed closely on a regular basis, the keyworker will always ensure that each child’s emotional needs are being met. Staff attend relevant training and we provide in house training. This ensures that we are providing a positive atmosphere and promoting positive behaviour. We act as a role model to the children and give lots of praise.
We talk about being kind and helpful and give lots of praise for this in the setting. Children are encouraged to become independent and confident to talk about their thoughts and feelings. We provide a suitable area for changing and toileting children, we have policies to support our personal care procedure. The administration of medication is controlled and a strict policy is followed.
Medication is locked away and relevant forms and permission is completed by the parent. A senior member of staff will oversee the administration of medicine, this will be witnessed and recorded.
What specialist services and expertise are available?
All setting staff are qualified to a minimum level 3 in child care and have a good awareness of child development. We have a qualified teacher who is also an EYP who works full time at the setting, she works closely with the children and staff ensuring high quality care is given at all times.
We have a setting SENCO with a vast knowledge and experience in working with children and young adults with Special Educational needs and Disability. We work closely with the local authority and many outside professionals. Parental permission is needed for us to access any support from outside agencies ie: LA inclusion team, health visitor, speech and language therapy, children centres etc. Once permission is obtained we can contact relevant professional who we believe will best support each child’s individual needs. We believe good working relationships with parents is the key to helping each child.
What training do you have or are you receiving to support children with SEND?
SEND training is currently being completed by the setting SENDco. The setting SENDco has recently attended a course on Mental Health in early Years and a workshop to support children with Special Educational needs or Disability who are going to school. To ensure a smooth Transition. Courses due to be attended in the next term include: Supervision training, Teaching and learning, Makaton and PEHA (Poole Early Help Assessment) training.
All staff attend Safeguarding children and first aid courses every 3 years. Other short courses and workshops are attended by staff to further their knowledge in particular areas. Training is then bought back to the setting and put into practice.
We check regularly all the training that the local authority provide and book on to whatever we feel will best support the children in our care. Staff professional development is very important to ensure we are providing high quality care.
How will you include my child in activities outside the setting, including trips?
All activities that are planned will take into consideration every child’s individual need’s and disabilities. Before any trip, a risk assessment is completed to ensure the safety and inclusion of all children. During an outing we stick to strict ratio’s of 1 adult to a maximum of 3 children. A child requiring 1:1 on an outing will be accompanied by the parent or member of staff. We ask for parent help when attending a large group outing to insure all children can be included.
How accessible and welcoming is your setting?
The setting if fully accessible and is at the centre of a local community. We are based in the youth centre and have full use during the day to a large inside area, two outside areas, toilets which include an accessible toilet and a car park. We are a pack away setting and ensure daily that risk assessments are carried out to ensure the safety of the children. We set up the room each day taking into consideration all children that will attend.
We welcome all families to the setting and work hard to ensure they feel welcome. Families with English as an additional language currently attend the setting and we communicate using key words and phrases they have informed us of. If translating is required we will source this.
We take time to ensure they feel valued and are fully aware of the setting policies and procedures in the best form for them. We have two staff who have attended signing courses so any families who communicate by signing would be welcomed to the setting.
How will you prepare and support my child to join the setting or to transfer to another setting/school?
We have a settling in policy which is tailored to each child’s individual needs. We will work closely with parents to ensure a smooth settling in. As part of your registration documents we ask you for details which will provide us with as much information about your child as possible, this is vital to helping us make sure each child’s individual needs and interests are met.
You will be introduced to your child’s keyworker and they will work closely with your child to help them to feel welcome and secure in a new environment. You will be given a prospectus before your child starts to fully inform you of how we run our Pre-School day. When your child moves to another setting or goes to school it will be a smooth transition, we work closely with the new setting to make sure of this.
With your permission we will share information about your child and provide them with a written record of their development and progress so far. We will discuss their likes and dislikes, any health needs, next steps they are working on and anything else we feel will help.
We have a transition meeting to maintain consistency for your child. We will arrange visits and meetings with new teachers or a keyworker so that your child can be introduced on familiar grounds.
How much support will my child receive and how are decisions made?
All children are observed regularly and are fully supported by staff. We operate a keyworker system to help build relationships with staff and families. A keyworker will make regular observations and liaise with the setting SENDco who will ensure that each child gets the support they need. With parents’ permission we will contact other professionals to complete an observation and offer support and advice where needed.
Targets will be set for a child and the SENDco and keyworker will work together to ensure the best possible outcome for each child, regular meetings will be held and parents will be informed. A Child’s progress will be recorded and by having regular meetings we can identify progress or areas that need more support. Activities will be planned to meet the child’s interests and child initiated activities will be extended to aid progression.
Who can I contact for further information about my child?
You can contact the Pre-School at any time. A senior member of staff is always around as a first point of contact to discuss any queries you have. Pre-School practitioners are available on a daily basis for you to talk to and will fully support the children throughout the whole session.
All staff will welcome you to the setting and help with anything they can. There will be regular meetings with your child’s keyworker who will provide you with information regarding your child and their progress. Parents who have a child with any Special educational need or disability or have any concerns about their child’s development can talk to our setting SENDco, as and when they wish too.
If you are interested in looking at our pre-school as a setting for your child, you can contact the Manager Dee Bebington. All contact details can be found on the family information directory.
What can I do if I’m not happy with your provision for my child?
Any concerns or complaints can be discussed with the manager at any time. We will do our best to resolve any problems or concerns and will keep you fully informed of any actions. If you would like to take a complaint further, we have a complaints policy which you will have access to via email or paper copy. The policy states the procedures to follow if needed.
How can I arrange a visit to your setting? What is involved?
You can contact us via telephone, Email or popping in to see us. All details are available from the family Information Directory or you can search via Google. When contact is made we will make an appointment for you and your child to come and view the setting and meet the staff. A senior member of staff will show you around the setting and provide you with information about how we run our pre-school, how your child will spend their time with us, how they will learn and be cared for, opening times, fee’s and to discuss any particular needs your child may have.
When will the above information be updated?
All information is updated annually during the summer in preparation for the Autumn term. Any major changes will be updated as and when.