Section 1 - How do you communicate with the parent/carer whose child has SEND?
1a) How they can arrange a visit and/or see you in action?
I can be contacted via phone, email or in person to arrange a visit. Time can be made for a conversation either before or after my working day. My details can be found on the family information website and childcare.co.uk
1b) What are some of the things they will see to welcome them to your setting?
Parents will be greeted by me on arrival to my setting. There is a parent’s notice board in my hallway with lots of information and photos of activities and outings we go on, giving parents an idea of how I work and what fun we have. Parents will see my setting “at work”… with self-assured happy children at play. They will see a home from home environment with play opportunities both indoor and out.
1c) What different ways do you use to communicate with parents?
Each child has their own Learning Journal which parents may comment in. Parents may contact me on my work mobile throughout the day and evening with regard to their child and the care I provide. I share daily photos and videos via WhatsApp. I have had feedback from parents that they prefer this to a daily diary and like to see instantly what we have been up to that day. I feel it puts parents’ minds at rest if they’ve had to leave their child upset when dropping off or if they are away on business.
I share resources with parents which may be little games, books, starting out sacks, babbling babies cards for language development…this keeps the parents involved and is often a conversation starter with any worries or just to let me know what their child is doing while at home.
1d) How can parents contribute or share ideas for you to consider to make communication with you more effective?
I welcome ideas from parents and encourage them to share by sending me messages and photos. Should they need a private meeting this can be arranged outside of my working day. I have a parental questionnaire that I ask parents to complete which enables them to give their opinions on the service I provide.
1e) If the parent/carer is unhappy with your provision, what should they do?
I would ask that parents speak with me in the first instance to see if we can resolve any issue. Parents are given copies of my policies when signing contracts and can have full access to my copies should they wish. Ofsted’s poster and contact details can be found on my parents notice board in the hallway should they need to contact them.
Section 2 - How will you help to settle the child into your setting?
2a) State some of the things the parent/carer will see when their child first starts at your setting
Settling in sessions are offered FREE of charge before the child attends my setting. After the initial visit and before contracts are signed parents are welcome to contact me with any worries, questions they may have forgotten to ask or concerns. Parents will be given a welcome pack when they first visit which explains all I offer, and details what a day may include at my setting. Parents will see my setting in action and children at play.
Section 3 - What help and support does your setting offer to SEND children to move rooms or move on to school?
3a) How do you ensure the child is happy and learning as they move from room to room?
My setting is a home environment with one large open room which leads onto my large garden via patio doors, so no child moves to another room.
Each child regardless of age/development is supported individually. I use trackers, observation and plans to provide the children with next steps for their learning.
3b) How do you ensure the child remains happy and learning as they move from you on to another setting?
The children I care for usually go the local school I drop off and collect from which enables them to become familiar with the next setting they will follow on to. They get to know the playground, building and some staff members. I also run a drop in for local childminders within the school grounds so the children I care for I very used to going in and out of a school building. I complete transition to school forms which detail the child’s learning journey while they’ve been in my care. I have on several occasions accompanied children to their school visits.
Section 4 - How do you understand and discover how the child learns?
4a) How do you measure the child’s learning to try to discover any additional educational needs they might have?
Every child has an individual learning pathway within their learning journal which records where they are and gives ideas for next steps in their learning. I carry out observations to help me plan for their next steps to aid each child’s development.
4b) How will you make sure that what you are teaching meets the needs of the child?
I attend and update all my training. I work closely and have good relationships with other professionals involved with the children in my care. I aim to support each family with a can do approach. Children if needed are given SMART targets to make progress at their own level.
4c) How will you make sure that the child is having fun and enjoys learning through play?
I provide a caring environment which supports each child’s individual learning. I actively join in with their play, giving them time to make mistakes and correct themselves and have their own ideas. I provide a safe environment for children to learn both indoors and out.
4d) Which experts and other professionals do you liaise with?
Doctors, Health Visitors, Nursery Nurses, schools, playschools, Portage, BCP Council support team, Early Years Advisory Teacher.
4e) When some children need a higher level of SEND support how do you go about making sure they get the support they need?
I have access to seek the advice from the support team at BCP Council. I would use the procedure in the SEN code of practice to help gain support for the child.
4f) How do you ensure that the views of parents/carers and children are included in this specialist work?
Parents\carers\children would be involved in the decision making and any records made. Open conversations with all to find out what’s going well and not so well so we can all improve the outcomes for the child.
Section 5 - Inclusive Practice and SEND training and expertise within this organisation
5a) What range of training and expertise do your staff have?
I am NNEB qualified and have worked with young children since 1987. I’ve updated my knowledge in all areas of childcare. I attended SEND training and higher level SEND training for childminders. I’ve worked and cared for children with a variety of needs including Autism, behavioural problems, Asperger’s, speech and language delay.
5b) What are the ways in which you fully involve children with SEN and/or disabilities?
My environment is calm, welcoming and safe for young children to thrive and become independent learners. My home is not wheelchair friendly.
I have a large flat garden that is accessed via my patio doors which has a step leading down. The garden is secure.
All children are included and involved. I have the appropriate care seats, buggies and a buggy board to ensure children are safe when we are out in the community.