How do you communicate with the parent / carer whose child has SEND?
At Mudeford Pre-school we have an open door policy and provide a warm welcome and appropriate learning opportunities for all the children in our care. We feel that it is important to engage with all parents/carers one to one through our key worker system but also appreciate that this is not always possible as families can be very busy and therefore we are committed to using our Tapestry system which provides ongoing information about the group and how individual children are progressing whilst in the group.
At Mudeford Pre-school we have a named Inclusion Co-ordinator (SENCO) – Elaine Salter, who monitors and assesses individual children’s needs in conjunction with your child’s keyworker and other staff. She will liaise with parents/carers and other agencies that may provide support for your child and your family. She will also engage with other agencies if it is felt that your child would benefit from additional help within the setting, e.g. Speech and Language Therapy Service. We are here to provide whatever support we can regardless of the individual needs of your child and family. Within our planning we differentiate activities ensuring that they are accessible to all children regardless of their individual needs or development levels. We are able to access resources and toy to support the Early Years Foundation curriculum to meet the individual children’s needs.
How do you help children settle into your setting?
We have a comprehensive welcome pack that as well as providing information about our setting, also includes opportunities for parent/carers to provide copious details about your child and their individual needs. As well as ongoing communications with parents/carers, the welcome pack provides us with vital information that helps us to settle your child into the setting. As parents/carers you are the most important person to your child and you know them best and therefore your input is vital to ensure that your child settles happily in the group.
As well as support from the Inclusion Co-ordinator, your child will also be allocated their own Key worker who will liaise directly with you and will ensure that your child’s Tapestry Learning Journey and development records are kept up to date and available to you. They will also liaise with any outside agencies that may be engaged in your child’s care and development. IF A PARENT/CARER IS NOT COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH OUR PROVISION, YOUR CHILD WILL NOT SETTLE!
What help and support does your setting offer to children with SEND as they move rooms or move on to school?
At Mudeford Pre-school we have incredibly close links with our local feeder schools. We co-ordinate with the Early Years Specialists within the school and they provide us with help and information to ensure that transition to school is as smooth as possible. Teachers from the local schools visit the group to meet your children before they transfer to school and we discuss with them how your child is progressing, any interventions that are in place and how best to settle them through transition. We also support the children with their visits to school by providing resources and information to ensure that the children are fully prepared to take their next big step in their transition.
How do you find out how each child likes to learn?
We tailor our curriculum to meet the individual needs of the children in our care. Our keyworker system, where a member of staff has responsibility for a small group of children, ensures that they have a clear picture of the individual children and are aware of their likes and dislikes. The information that you provide through the Welcome Pack and Tapestry also help us to form a Holistic picture of your child as they continue to develop and progress at home. Through Tapestry we are also able to provide activities for you to share at home with your child which all add to your child’s Learning Journey enabling us to monitor your child’s progress at home as well as in the setting.
Where children are supported by outside agencies, we are able to work in conjunction with them to provide additional opportunities for your child to develop. If equipment is needed to ensure that we are able to include all children in our activities then these will be accessed. We have previously sourced a specialist chair and cups to support a child who had co-ordination and balance difficulties. We also liaise closely with our Area SENCO at BCP who offers us help and support to ensure that all children are given the same opportunities to reach their full potential.
Inclusive practice / SEND training and expertise within this organisation
Our Inclusion Co-ordinator ensures that she regularly keeps up to date with the latest changes with SEND regulations and requirements. She attends local SEND meetings held by the local authority and subscribes to the SEND forum. All staff have undertaken Safeguarding Training and individual staff members have completed additional training regarding autism and additional needs.
All staff receive half termly briefings with the Inclusion Co-ordinator where they are able to discuss their key children to ensure that they are all progressing well or to ascertain whether additional resources/help may be required to support the children. All our team are dedicated to the care and progression of your children regardless of their needs and abilities and therefore they will do there upmost to ensure that your child’s experiences in the group are happy and that your child meets their full potential.
The information in this SEND Local Offer was completed on 30th October 2020.