ABC Preschool and Extra

When your child starts at our setting the key person spends time getting to know your child, we like to learn about your child’s likes / dislikes and interests. We also welcome any information that parents / carers want to pass on to us. We complete observations within the 7 areas of learning of the EYFS on your child, and these are logged on the online learning journal. The setting SENCO monitors children’s progress and stages of development, and will talk to parents / carers and the Key person if she has any concerns regarding a child’s progress.

We complete a Progress check on each child aged 2 years, these checks are shared with parents, and any concerns are also discussed at this time.

If we have any worries about a child, we will always discuss these with the child’s parent / carer, we will at this point decide if a child needs further monitoring or a targeted plan to aid their learning. Our SENDCO is available at any time to discuss any concerns that parents may have about their child.

Once we have identified a child with and addition or SEND need, we work closely with parents / carers to devise a targeted or personalised plan to ensure that we are working toward agreed goals for that child. The child’s key person is available to discuss how your child’s session has been, and we will invite you in to discuss your child’s progress toward their targets and to set new ones if needed. You will also have access to your child’s online learning journal, so you will be able to read observations, look at photos and watch video footage of your child within the setting.

The EYFS framework allows to plan individually for all children that attend the setting. If needed we will adapt our setting and the way we offer resources, for example, we would offer activities in a tuff spot or on a rug on the floor rather than on a table.

Our Key persons are skilled at adapting and changing the activities to suit individual children, they are able to make activities easier or harder depending on the need of that child. No child will be excluded from any area or from any activity within the nursery.

We ensure that targeted and personalised plans are unique to the child they are written for and plans ensure that all children make the best possible progress for them regardless of need or disability.

Each child is individually planned for in order to further their development and learning. Personalised plans and targets are used to inform planning and observations and photos / videos are captured by the child’s key person for their online Learning Journal

As a setting we use lots of visuals and visual cues for all of the children. We use visual timetables to show the children the routine of the setting. We use Makaton sign language and have found this beneficial to use with both takers and non-talkers.

Our staff have received training in and we use PEC’s cards (Picture Exchange Card System) to encourage children to make choices for themselves.

We closely follow the advice and recommendations from any outside agencies involved with a child such as the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service, Speech and language therapists, occupational Therapists etc.

We have a quiet cosy corner available should a child want to sleep or rest

SENDCO is constantly evaluating the learning and development of the children and helps the Key Person provide targeted or individual plans for the children that need them. When possible, we access additional funding allowing us to offer augmented care or purchase specialised equipment for a particular child. We access regular training opportunities to ensure we are up to date with current SEN issues and advice. Our staff are skilled at getting to know the children and their interests and at adjusting activities to enable children to progress at their own rates. We have good links with the local Children’s Centre and are able to pass on referrals to them should a parent / carer wish us to do so.

Each child has a Key Person who takes regular observations in the form of photographs, video and text of the children. Baseline assessments are conducted when a child starts with us, and summative assessments are carried out 3 times per year. The setting SENDCO checks all of these assessments to look for areas of development that may need additional planning for. All targeted and personalised plans are reviewed regularly to monitor achievement and set new targets. We are always available to discuss your child’s progress toward targets and also offer 2 formal parents evening per year for a more formal discussion.

Our staff are skilled at offering differentiated planning for individual children’s needs. All children are fully included in all aspects of the setting, this includes trips out and nursery plays. Additional staff are put in place for such events and no child will ever be excluded.

Our setting is all on one ground floor level, the setting is easily accessible via the main children’s centre door. We have carpeted and hard flooring areas in the setting, allowing children to move freely around. Our room is large and airy, and gives enough space for all. Toys and resources are stored in accessible drawers and cupboards.

We pride ourselves on our school transitions. We have close links with our local schools and arrange visits for the children before they leave us. We meet with the teachers of the schools and discuss each child, their progress, and any particular need they may have. We encourage the school to speak with you as parents / carers to alleviate any anxiety you may have about your child’s transition. We send over to the schools information regarding progress, learning levels, likes and interests, particular dislikes etc. to enable the school staff to have some knowledge regarding your child. We provide opportunities for the children to practice putting on their shoes and coats or to try on school uniform, we have displays of photographs of ‘Big School’ for the children to look at and refer to.

The SENDCO goes to regular SENDCO forum meetings in order to remain up to date with current legislation and issues. We are able to access LIFT meetings to gain support and request specialist guidance. We hold regular staff meetings in order that our staff are kept fully informed of up to date information. Parents are invited in to review their child’s targeted or personalise plans, and their views are always taken into account.

Please contact the nursery and we will arrange a visit for you and your child to the setting so that you can see us in action. Our manager will show you around and you will be able to meet with our SENDCO to discuss your child’s additional needs if you wish to do so. We offer settling a session and home visit for each and every child.

We have an open door policy and are available to speak to parents when needed. We use parent questionnaires as an anonymous way for parents to tell us what they think of the setting and what we offer the children. We take on board suggestions and comments regarding improvements or ideas. We have a complaints procedure that parents are able to access either in the setting or via our website.