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Horsmonden Kindergarten


Welcome to Horsmonden Kindergarten.

 

Horsmonden Kindergarten welcomes children aged from 2 to 5 years and is situated conveniently near to the Primary School in the village of Horsmonden.

 

We have been providing the local community with pre-school education since 1980. We are a registered charity, run by a committee of volunteers.

 

With a wonderful, dedicated team to care for your child, we strive to encourage all children to continually develop and reach their full potential, ensuring all individual needs are seen to.

 

We like to provide a fun and stimulating environment, where staff, committee members and parents all work hard to make Horsmonden Kindergarten the wonderful place it is renowned for.

 

 

The children at Kindergarten hugely benefit from the spacious building which was designed specifically with their needs in mind. It has a fantastic outdoor space to burn off some of their extra energy!

 

There is a mix of fun activities encouraging learning and development throughout their journey at Kindergarten. This all helps towards their transition to primary school.

 

We are open from 8:30am – 3:30pm weekdays during term time.

 

 

Who to contact

Contact Name
Becky Painter
Contact Position
Business Manager
Telephone
01892 724 805
E-mail
info@horsmondenkindergarten.co.uk
Website
https://www.horsmondenkindergarten.co.uk/

Where to go

Address
Horsmonden Kindergarten
Back Lane
Horsmonden
Tonbridge
Kent
Postcode
TN12 8NJ

When is it on?

When is childcare available
Term Time Only
Carescheme Age Range:
2 year(s), 0 month(s) to 4 year(s), month(s)
Opening Times
Opening Times
DayOpening TimeClosing Time
Monday 8:30 3:30
Tuesday 8:30 3:30
Wednesday 8:30 3:30
Thursday 8:30 3:30
Friday 8:30 3:30

Other Details

Table of costs
Table of costs
AmountCost Type
£6.50 Per hour
ECD Type
Day Nursery
Offers pickups
No
Cost(s)

Ofsted Information

Ofsted URN
EY546431
Link to latest ofsted inspection report 

Support with Childcare Costs

Free for 2 (families with 2 year olds receiving additional forms of government support)?
Yes
Universal Entitlements
Yes
Working Parents Entitlement
Yes

Service status

Status
Open

Local Offer

Description

The purpose of a local offer is to enable parents and carers to see more clearly what services are available for children with SEND in their area and how to access them. We hope this document provides clear information about what we have already put in place to enable children to achieve their full potential at Horsmonden Kindergarten.  We work within the guidance of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) and in line with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 0-25 years. We use these to promote each child’s learning and development.  We regard each child as being unique and endeavour to meet their individual needs.

 

Aims and Objectives:

 

  • The Committee and staff will do their best to ensure that the necessary provision is made for any child who has special educational needs. These needs will be made known to all who are likely to work with them by the SENCo and Managers.
  • The Committee and staff of the kindergarten are aware of the importance of identifying and providing for those children who have special educational needs in line with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 0-25 years.
  • We include all children in our provision and make inclusion a thread that runs through all of the activities of the setting.
  • We provide practitioners to help support parents and children with special educational needs (SEN)/disabilities.
  • We identify the specific needs of children with SEN/disabilities and meet those needs through a range of strategies.
  • We work in partnership with parents and other agencies in meeting individual children’s needs.
  • We are able to offer the Government Free Childcare Funding Scheme for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. We can apply for addition funding for children with SEN.
  • We monitor and review our practice and provision and, if necessary, make adjustments.
  • We provide a secure environment in which all our children can flourish and in which all contributions are valued.

 

Special Needs Support

How does the setting identify children with additional needs or SEND? 

  • Initially, we encourage parents to visit Horsmonden Kindergarten with their child and share information with us regarding the strengths and needs of the child to create a positive partnership. If you have any concerns at this point, about your child’s development, we will discuss this with you and put in place any support required.
  • Families will be supported for as long as it takes for your child to settle. We want your child to feel happy and safe with us.
  • Each child is allocated a ‘key person’ who works closely with your child and their family. Through ongoing observation and assessments, linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage, an online learning journal will be produced.  Any possible individual need identified will then be discussed with you and strategies put in place for your child to achieve their full potential.
  • Before your child’s third birthday, a Two Year Old Progress Check is carried out which will supply parents/carers with a short written summary of their child’s development.
  • Reports from Health Care Professionals may identify a child’s individual needs and we will include these in your child’s learning and development.

How will I be informed / consulted about the ways in which my child is being supported? 

  • Horsmonden Kindergarten has an ‘open door’ policy and you are welcome to speak to us at any time about your child’s development.
  • We make sure that parents are informed and included at all stages of assessment, planning, monitoring, reviewing and evaluation of your child’s progress.
  • Parent consultations are offered to provide an opportunity to review your child’s progress and learning journal in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
  • Where appropriate, Horsmonden Kindergarten can use Home/School Communication Diaries providing practitioners and parents the chance to share relevant information daily.
  • Photograph evidence of children’s achievements are used to enhance our Learning Journals.
  • We produce a weekly Newsletter to inform parents of our successes as well as giving useful and relevant information relating to all aspects of our setting. The Newsletter is emailed to you and posted on our Web-site together with any changes in our policies and procedures. 
  • We value all parents views and opinions. We carry out an Annual Questionnaire asking for feedback on our provision so that we can improve our working practice by evaluating these results.
  • We encourage parents to share their interests and skills within the setting for the benefit of all children.

How will the setting adapt the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum for my child's needs? 

  • Through ongoing assessment, keyperson plan for their individual children, based on their interests and next steps, ensuring they can access all areas of the provision.
  • Weekly planning is differentiated to take account of all children’s stages and age of development.
  • Our highly qualified staff team ensures children’s needs are quickly identified and supported and in turn cascaded to parents.
  • Where an identified need has been recognised, we use the ‘graduated response system’ to assess and respond to this by using a step by step approach of intervention levels.
  • The SENCo will explain how children’s individual needs can be met by planning support using a written plan.
  • The keyperson will oversee individual targets and monitor progress.
  • New targets will be updated regularly by the SENCo, keyperson and parents relative to your child’s progress.
  • The SENCo will work with all other staff to ensure implementation of the plan and subsequent continuity of Early Years outcomes by everyone.
  • We regularly review all our equipment to ensure it supports the Early Years Foundation Stage.
  • Where necessary we will access additional funding to provide specialist equipment or source them from other professionals when appropriate.

 

What teaching strategies does the setting use for children with additional needs or learning difficulties? 

  • Our SENCo and Deputy SENco have completed specific SENCo training and also attend network meetings and forums each term to keep up-to-date with current policies and procedures and to cascade this information to all staff.
  • All staff, as part of their Continuing Professional Development, undertake training to support all children’s needs.
  • Specific training is matched to an individual child’s needs and staff will attend further courses if required.
  • Training opportunities provided by other professionals for individual children are welcomed.

What additional support does the setting provide for children with additional needs or SEND? 

  • Over the years, the SENCo and Deputy SENCo have gained valuable experience in dealing with children with Special Educational Needs and meeting those requirements. This has included the successful implementation of Educational Health Care Plans.
  • The SEND team have attended Team Around the Child Meetings and are happy to act as Lead Professionals if requested by parents.
  • We have formed close links with outside agencies including the KKC Inclusion Team, Speech and Language Therapists, Specailst Teachers, Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, ASD Workers and the Child Development Centre based at Broomhill Bank.

How will the setting monitor my child's progress and how will I be involved in this? 

  • Your child's keyperson is always available for advice and support in the first instance.
  • Our Manager/SENCo and Deputy SENCo's are always available to offer support and advice.
  • We can sign-post parents to other professional services such as support groups and Family Information Services that may be able to help.
  • If your child's need has been referred to a specific team, we will be able to support parents in accessing their services.
  • Horsmonden Kindergarten has developed a strong team of staff who are held in high regard by other professionals in being able to deliver additional support to enable children to flourish and reach their full potential.

How do you ensure children with additional needs or SEND can be included in the same activities as other children, including trips? 

  • Horsmonden Kindergarten is 'wheelchair friendly', with disabled access to main building and outside garden and is therefore accessible to all children.
  • We will make changes or adapt our facilities, if needed and in line with, an appropriate risk assessment.
  • Resources are easily accessible to all children when participating in 'self-chosen' play.
  • Any outside trips undertaken are in line with the statutory requirements of the Early Years Framework.
  • We support families whose first language is not English. Where necessary additional support from outside agencies is sourced to ensure an inclusive practice.

How accessible is the building for children with mobility difficulties / wheelchair users? 

  • Horsmonden Kindergarten is 'wheelchair friendly', we are a single storey building with disabled access to main building and outside garden and is therefore accessible to all children.
  • Our building has been designed with disabled toilet facilities. 

How will you support my child's transition to a new setting or school? 

  • We want children to feel safe and happy in the absence of their parents and to recognise staff as a source of help and friendship as well as authority.
  • We aim to make the setting a welcoming place where children settle quickly and easily in line with our Settling-in Policy.
  • Consideration is given to the individual needs and circumstance of each child and their family.
  • Horsmonden Kindergarten offers an annual Open Day whereby parents and children are invited to meet all the staff, view our facilities and receive our Prospectus and Enrolment Pack. Parents are also welcome by appointment throughout the year to view our facilities and see our working practice.
  • A keyperson system is operated in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements to ensure parents are regularly informed of how their child has settled and to discuss any concerns.
  • Horsmonden Kindergarten is situated opposite Horsmonden Primary School and over the years we have developed strong links with the Head Teacher, supporting staff and School SENCo.
  • We invite receiving schools/settings to visit our Kindergarten to familiarise and observe the children and to share information in partnership with parents.
  • We regularly accompany the children on visits to Horsmonden Primary School throughout the year such as attending the Harvest Festival, school plays and the use of the school facilities; school hall, playing field and reception outdoor play area.
  • Transition meetings are held with the receiving schools.
  • Individual Transition meetings are held if necessary, with the parents, kindergarten staff and other relevant professionals to ensure continuity of care and familiarisation of individual needs.
  • With parental permission we share all documentation such as Health Care Plans, Early Years Assessments and observations.
  • During the summer term activities are organised to prepare all children for the transition to school such as changing for PE, eating whole fruit and photo displays of their new environment and teachers.
  • For those children requiring additional support for the transition to primary education, a Transition book detailing pictorial photographs of their new environment and teachers is also provided. This helps to facilitate discussions with parents and their child during the summer holidays.

How does the setting assess the overall effectiveness of its SEN provision and how can parents / carers take part in this evaluation? 

  • Whilst a ‘key person’ is allocated, all staff support the well-being and needs of children in our care. The SENCo works with staff to ensure provision is relevant, appropriate and the curriculum has been adapted to meet each individual child’s needs.
  • Through close relationships with the children and their keyperson, we make sure that all children feel valued and supported.
  • Our ratios comply with the requirements of the Early Years Statutory Framework.
  • Learning journals are produced securely using an electronic system. Each child's Learning Journal is available for parents/carers to see using their own secure log-in details.  Observations are published as and when written and detail learning achievements linked to the Developmental Matters of the Early Years Foundation Stage.  The system also allows parents to link photos and observations made of activities and events in their own home environment. 
  • Horsmonden Kindergarten has clear policies and procedures, which are available to read on line, relating to your child’s safety and well-being.

Who should I contact if I am considering registering for a place at the setting? 

  • For any other information and enquiries please contact our Buisness manager Becky Painter. 

What arrangements does the setting have for feedback from parents / carers, including compliments and complaints? 

  • At all stages of support parents/carers are always involved in the decision making process.
  • Having regular meetings with outside professionals/agencies/specialists and the childs keyperson and Senco from Horsmonden Kindergarten to monitor, review and reflect on the impact of the support put in place for the child. 
  • Parents views are always listened to, respected and valued. 
  • We have a complaints policy available for parents/carers to access.
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