Brambles Nursery School

When children are entering the setting we require parents to complete approximately three stay and play sessions with their child.  Additional needs or SEND are often identified at these sessions in discussion with parents/carers or by practitioner observations.  The key person will complete observations in the three prime areas of the EYFS to produce a profile within the first term.  Any concerns are discussed with the Manager or SENCo and shared with parents and carers.

We have a full time SENCO, Jennie Parry, who is also linked to the Speech Therapy Playgroup service. She liaises closely with the Speech Therapist, who visits every 6 weeks to review the children’s progress.We also have a SENCO support, Abby Eland. 

All the staff are fully qualified and attend extra training courses to help identify any extra needs for all children. They are all very proficient in observing, planning and assessing activities with each of their key children, to ensure their development is progressing. Any concerns are discussed with the SENCO and the parents. Initially, Targeted or Individual plans are put together to assist the child. Parents are included every step of the way. We have a very good relationship with outside agencies, if it’s felt we need to make a referral for further help. 

We hold Unique Stories with parents every 2 terms, where their child’s progress is shared both ways. We also have a secure online system where parents can see what the children are achieving.

We are all very approachable and will take the time to listen whenever parents wish to discuss their child. 

Your child will be allocated a Key Person, who you will be introduced to on your initial settling in session. They will ask you to help them fill in a Starting Points leaflet, so that they are familiar with what your child has already achieved, also any areas that you have any concerns about or are working on. The Key Persons aim is to build a close relationship with you and your child, with a 2 way dialogue. This ensures your child is getting the absolute best support to reach their potential. The Key Person will observe your child for the first few sessions and then start to plan activities, these will be revised and new plans developed to continually stimulate their learning in an appropriate way. The Key Person will take care of all your child’s personal needs and will build up a warm relationship with them. 

The deputy manager oversees all planning and progress made for the children. She can identify any gaps which may need extra support. The owner/manager checks the observations before they go out onto the online secure system for parents to read. She also works closely with the My Nursery Child developers to ensure the system is working appropriately for our nursery. 

We have an end of nursery questionnaire for parents/carers to fill in, which gives us a good insight into our practice. We also speak to parents on a regular basis ( i.e. Every 2 terms for Unique Stories) However we are always available to discuss any concerns or worries. 

We have a language rich environment which is regularity reviewed to the needs of our children. We have recently rearranged the nursery to provide a quieter area for some of the younger children and children who need space.

We have small group sessions every day in a quiet room for the more reluctant talkers or children who find it harder to pay attention.

All the Key persons are all well trained and competent in assessing when a child is not very confident with language. They will produce a tailor made choice book or chart for the child to point to activities. The SENCO Jennie Parry will help them to draw up personalised plans to help encourage their development.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development is a strong part of Bramble’s ethos. We are constantly updating our training as part of a local collaboration with 3 other nurseries in Deal.

We welcome informal discussion with key persons or management at any time.  Our manager Jacquie or deputy manager Zoe will make themselves available to families outside of more formal consultations.  We try to provide times for our consultations that suit as many families as possible.  Regular contact can be maintained through My Nursery Child online, which can be a two way process with families sharing observations and comments.  Within the learning journey parents can see what key persons are planning for their children so they can follow these at home if they choose to do so.  Children with AEN or SEND will have personalised plans in addition to their learning journeys which are shared and updated termly with Jennie the SENCO.

Tanya, our Qualified Teacher holds different workshops each term for the parents to come together. 

We take advice from any outside agency involved with children with medical needs. 

 You will be kept informed and included in any additional help sought and always asked for your permission..

We have a medicines policy and are able to administer prescription medicines. 

For children with conditions that require tube feeding or any other intervention we ensure training is given by specialist nurses.  All training of this type will be sourced with the admission of a child to the setting to ensure it is current. 

Children are supported with behaviour in a setting where positivity is key.  Children are offered genuine praise which promotes positive behaviour

Children's progress is monitored as part of My Nursery Child using the EYFS.  This will be shared with parents at Unique Stories or earlier if there are any concerns from parents or the setting. 

We are part of the Playgroup Speech and Language Service and work closely with a Speech and Language Therapist. If your child is part of this service, you will be invited to meet with the Speech and Language therapist when she’s in. 

Our Key person for SAL has completed a range of training to support her in her role.

We have a strong partnership with parents that we are very proud of, as was noted on our last Outstanding Ofsted report. 

For children with AEN or SEND our SENCO would complete a risk assessment before a trip or activity such as a visit to the allotment.  This would be shared with families and practitioners to ensure that every child can partake in all opportunities on offer.  For some children it may be necessary to provide an additional adult to support their needs and the setting would apply for SENIF support to help finance this.

We are currently sending 2 more members of staff on a Moving and Handling Course, to help with children who are unable to support themselves and need special heavy equipment. Our 2 SENCOs are booked onto courses over the next months to enrich their knowledge. 

We have had our garden resurfaced to enable all the children to experience the outside environment. 

The nursery is part of a modern Children’s Centre, with all the doorways and rooms easily accessible.

We have provided a child in a wheelchair with all the opportunities that the other children access on more than one occasion. 

We are willing to source specialist equipment and have provided special chairs, toilet adaptations, wheeled trikes and would seek to use EYPP or our own fund raising to support these adaptations if required.

If English is not the first language, we have, in the past, used interpreters. We have bought picture books in dual languages which is given the the child to share at home with parents and siblings as well as in the nursery. We endeavour to learn key words to communicate with the family. 

We work closely with schools to ensure smooth transition for every child regardless of any additional need or SEND. 

The SENCO has accompanied parents to specialist schools to help and advise parents if required.  We work closely with the specialist teaching service. 

We meet with all local schools to discuss the transition for each child.  If necessary we arrange extra settling in visits for the child to school, accompanied by their key person and these have proved to be extremely positive for children.

Although we are very close to one particular primary school, we have a good relationship with the other local schools.

Prior to the children leaving the nursery, the schools are given their progress record from My Nursery Child.

We encourage all parents to be involved in their child's preschool experience.  We welcome their views and opinions.

We have an end of nursery questionnaire, which has always been a very informative and positive way of reviewing our practice.

When children move on we provide a transition document which will be signed and commented on by the parent. 

Please contact the manager to arrange a visit or a prospectus,

Our online My Nursery Child has the facility for parents to comment or pass information to the nursery. 

We have a Complaints policy which is adhered to in the rare case. All our policies are available to view in the foyer of the nursery. These are reviewed annually.