How do you communicate with the parent/carer whose child has SEND?
At Barbara Rose Christian Preschool we follow a child centred approach. We recognise that early intervention is key and ensure to engage parents with every step of the graduated approach. We have regular conversations with our parents of SEN children and keep them up to date with any information regarding their child's development. Regular phone calls/ meetings/ conversations with our parents enable us to ensure that they are kept up to date with any progress and/or concerns we may have about their child. It also provides them with the opportunity to discuss any concerns/ ask any questions that they may have. They will also have the opportunity to talk through any IEP/Wellcomm/ strategy plans that are in place to support their child. We have termly parents' meetings with all parents and encourage parents to be involved and up to date with their child's learning through our online tapestry developmental journal, they are able to comment on any observations that has been added and are also invited to upload their own observations such as what they have been doing over the weekend. We send out termly 'how are things going' forms for the parents to fill out. This provides us with information on areas we are doing well in as well as opportunities for improvement. We also have a 'staff shout out' board where parents are invited to write out a positive note for a member of staff.
How do you help children settle into your setting?
All families are invited for a 'show round' of our setting. If they decide that Barbara Rose is the perfect setting for their family then they will be invited to attend a stay and play session. This is where the child and parents/carers meet the staff and have the opportunity to ask any questions/ discuss any concerns they may have regarding their child. All children receive a welcome pack before they start which includes pictures of the staff and their roles, pictures of the setting, a copy of our daily routine and a list of what they should bring with them. Parents are invited to stay with their child on their first session should they feel the need to stay or if the child needs support settling in. We ensure to gather as much information about each child through our 'child developmental journal' and our 'about me' section that the parents fill out before the child starts. The SENCO is available for parents who may have concerns about a child if they already have a diagnosis or if other agencies involved. The SENCO will then arrange another meeting with the parents to gather as much information/ reports as possible so that a plan for the child is put into place before they start the setting. Key people are assigned within the first two weeks of the child starting, this is to allow time for relationships to form and allow the children to all settle in.
What help and support does your setting offer to children with SEND as they move rooms or move on to school?
All children transitioning from the younger room to the older room do so with an 'about me' form. This details the child's likes and dislikes, favourite stories and toys, allergies, home languages, SEN needs and parents' information. For children going to school, we will arrange a meeting with the child's new schools SENCO to discuss the child's needs and how they like to learn. We will then arrange a visit for the school to come in and visit the child at preschool. Parents/ carers are also invited to attend should they wish to. We ask the school to provide pictures of the school and teacher so that the child can become familiar with their new environment before starting school in September. All information such as risk assessments, IEP's, reports etc will also be handed over to the school prior to the child starting.
How do you find out how each child likes to learn?
We monitor children's development through the online tapestry journal. Trackers are completed once every half term, and this often highlights where a child may need additional support. Our SENCo also has regular discussions with room leaders and key people to discuss any concerns that they may have. For children who require a differentiated curriculum, the room leaders will add their area of development form the EYFS onto their planning sheet, ensuring that all activities are accessible to all children. Child initiated ideas are very welcome at Barbara Rose and the children often have a large input into what activities are out. The room leader plans each week, but we welcome in the moment planning from all children too. We encourage parents to play a part in their child's learning too, inviting them to contribute to their child's tapestry journal. We also provide weekly 'what we are learning about' boards outside the setting so that parents can read what we will be doing that week. We also share what we have been learning on our Facebook page, where ideas for home learning are also added weekly, encouraging parents to extend what we have been doing during the week, at home. Some children require a higher level of support due to their SEN needs. For example, we currently have a child with a language disorder who is using the picture exchange communication system (PECS). To support her, we have a table in the room with her name, picture, a timer and her PECS book, the table is small and light, allowing staff to easily move it around as we go outside into the garden.
Inclusive practice / SEND training and expertise within this organisation
Our SENCO completed the NASEN Level 3 SENCO award in 2019. She is also currently completing the ELKLAN level 3 training with BCP. She has completed a Wellcomm workshop and has a level 3 childcare qualification. All our staff are trained at a level 3 qualification or above and we currently have an apprentice completing her level 2 in childcare. We also have 2 qualified teachers and an Early Year's Teacher, who is also the deputy manager. Our SENCO relays any information learnt on courses to the staff during meeting to ensure that they are all aware of how to support children with SEND. All staff are up to date with their safeguarding and health and safety training.
The information in this SEND Local Offer was completed on 25/05/2021.