How do you communicate with the parent / carer whose child has SEND?
We welcome enquiries from new parents and are happy to answer any questions you may have. We can be contacted by phone, text, email or in person. We have a public Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/preschoolonthemarsh/?ref=bookmarks
Once children have started with us we are in regular contact with parents which includes talking to them regularly as well as more formal meetings if required. We always work closely with you to do the best for the child. You have daily opportunities to speak to us about any concerns you may have, and an official time is made each term for all parents to look at development files and speak to staff. There are always daily opportunities to talk to staff and get any updates. We use Tapestry online journals so you can access this at any time from home.
We have regular parents' mornings and provide regular summaries of your child's progress. We check emails daily. Some children are on Individual Plans to help share successes and clarify what areas we are working on. Your involvement is key to helping us support your child.
How do you help children settle into your setting?
All children are different and may require different settling in procedures. Our varied experience helps us to identify early if children need extra help. We form good relationships with all parents and carers. Firstly we take time to get to know you and your child before they start with us and then we provide settle visits catered to your child and your needs. We use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) profile to monitor and track development. We complete 2 year old checks which also help check development.
All children are allocated a Key Worker. We are a close team and all staff work together to provide the best support and care for all. We use information gathered from you and the 'All about me' forms to help settle your child. The Key Worker will be responsible for completing your child's development records and will plan appropriately for immediate and more detailed next steps. The deputy manager- Claire Griffiths is also the SENCO and she works closely with all staff to ensure we are providing the right support.
What help and support does your setting offer to children with SEND as they move rooms or move on to school?
Our younger children can join our Marshalling section of the Pre-School with higher staff ratio and as they approach 3 and are becoming more independent they will spend some time in the Pre-School area supported by all staff. They can then move up when they are 3 and are ready to transition. We provide transition reports to new settings and transfer their Tapestry journal if the new setting uses it.
The key worker will make any extra transition arrangements that are necessary. We have made visits to schools, made transition books and invited teachers into preschool to meet the children in the past. As in everything we do, transition is tailored to meet your child's needs. We work very hard on transition for all of our children and have built up links with lots of local schools.
How do you find out how each child likes to learn?
Our planning is very child led. We use planning in the moment so this helps all children reach their full potential. Children have focus week where all staff record observations relevant to the child and how they learn. Observations are made and good next steps, individual to your child are made. We talk to parents before children settle with us to find out as much information as possible about your child.
Staff are all experienced in adapting activities to suit differing needs. We use the children's interests to help us plan activities for the children. Our Pre-School is based on Stanpit Marsh with free flow play from inside to outside for the children to play and learn.
Inclusive practice / SEND training and expertise within this organisation
We have an experienced staff team and have attended a variety of training that is available. Our varied experience helps us to identify early if children need extra help. The manager and deputy both have their own children with special needs and are therefore very experienced in this area. They both also have SENCO training.
We have supported children with a variety of different needs and keep up to date when training is available. All staff have attended a variety of training that is available. The manager and deputy both have their own children with special needs and are therefore very experienced in this area. They both also have SENCO training. We have supported children with a variety of different needs and keep up to date when training is available. Our SENCO has a Level 3 Early Years SENCO Award.
The information in this SEND Local Offer was completed on 30/04/2021.