How do you communicate with the parent / carer whose child has SEND?
To contact us and arrange a viewing we ask that you phone or Email initially to arrange a viewing, we will then arrange a mutually agreeable time for you to visit the setting and discuss the needs of your child. We meet regularly with parents and always have key adults available daily for information sharing on arrival and drop off.
We use an information sharing app called tapestry to send updates on development throughout the term, we update you on progress made and next steps in learning, these will include video and photo’s when possible. This app also enables you to share your celebrations and progress with us. Working together is key to a child’s success and we aim to find the best way to communicate with families on an individual basis to ensure that information is shared and received regularly.
We provide you with regular newsletters about what’s going on in the nursery and share information that may be useful to parents on our social media platforms. Should you every feel unhappy or uncertain about our setting we ask that you come and speak to us as soon as possible. We will listen to your concerns and together find solutions that will ensure the safety and wellbeing of your child.
How do you help children settle into your setting?
All children have had different experiences of being left without their primary carer, we therefore understand that no one set approach will suit all families and children.
Our key aim is that children settle without tears, this of course takes time, consistently and commitment from all the adults working with the child. We offer individual settling plans that are tailored to suit the child’s stage of development and ensure that they can build a relationship with their key person to feel at ease and supported in order for their primary carer to say goodbye in a calm, consistent and positive way.
At St Clements we work together as a team, your child will be allocated a key person who will support your child and share their progress with you. If your child’s key person is not available for all the sessions your child attends we will operate a buddy system to ensure your child knows who will help and support them in their key persons absence. The SEND coordinator will also play a big part in your child’s time at the nursery ensuring that appropriate next steps are set, clear and realistic IEP’s are set and followed and will communicate and attend any meetings with professionals involved in your child’s care.
The SENCO at the Nursery is Rachael Hills, she has a team of SEND assistants who help ensure that the needs of the children are catered for and that the activities and provision are planned to ensure that all children can enjoy all the fun and learning the nursery has to offer each time they attend.
What help and support does your setting offer to children with SEND as they move rooms or move on to school?
St Clements nursery offers integrated care for children aged 2 - 5, this means that all our children learn and play together throughout the session. There are lots of advantages to integrated care, especially for children who have additional needs. Our environment offers play activities that can be adapted and tailored to ensure each child has learning opportunities that suit their age and stage of development.
A total Communication approach is embedded into our practice, this means that our skilled staff understand how children acquire and learn to communicate, and are able to adapt their style and approach accordingly. Visuals are key in supporting young children understand what might happen next or what they might need, you will see all our staff carrying visual cue cards and using now and next boards and visual timetables to support all our young children.
We have skilled teachers who are able to support children develop their shared interaction skills, this program is called PEIC-D, it is a stepped approach that has proven results in helping children to gain the skills needed to share interactions and play experiences.
When children with SEND leave our setting to go to school we will arrange a meeting with the SENDco of their new school, you will also be invited to this meeting. During this meeting we will share information about your child to help them prepare for a successful transition. We share a one page profile that will help build a picture of your child’s strengths, interests and things to consider. Transitional plans will be individual to the child’s needs and with agreement of the receiving school.
How do you find out how each child likes to learn?
Knowing a child’s likes and interests are key to a child being happy and settled at nursery. A happy, content child will be able to learn and play and will thrive in a nursery environment. Part of the registration documentation is a form that is “all about”, the more information we have the better. We will take the time to go through all the paper work in a face to face meeting with the parent to be sure we have everything we need. We use this information to plan for your child’s settling sessions and to ensure that they can enjoy their current interests with skilled teachers who can help them expand on their skills and knowledge.
We watch, listen and support children when they are communicating with us and each other, this helps us understand how your child communicates, this is important as it helps us to understand what they might be thinking and wanting. Children who can’t verbally express their wants and needs may use alternative ways to communicate or may use visuals. We value all forms of communication and will work with your child to develop and progress their skills to ensure they become effective communicators in a way that suits their individual needs.
Knowing children are happy and having fun in our care is very important to us. Our skilled team of educators take the time to observe children’s wellbeing using Leuven’s wellbeing scale. We know that happy children thrive in their surroundings, enjoying the awe and wonder of the world around them. If a child did not appear happy and content in our care we will always speak with you to identify what might need adapting to ensure that all our children and families feel happy, supported and valued at St Clements.
There may be times when, despite all the interventions and support we provide, a child’s progress is slow or it has been recognised that the support from other professionals or additional support would be beneficial. Together we will communicate on a way forward and agree to the the next steps to take. Your permission will always be sought before any referrals are made or we discuss the needs of your child with any other professional. There is a clear process that SENCO’s follow called the graduated response, this helps us to make timely and appropriate referrals and adaptions to ensure your child is supported in the best possible way.
Inclusive practice / SEND training and expertise within this organisation
St Clements Nursery is managed by Elaine King and Rachael Hills, together they have many years of Early Years experience and numerous qualifications to ensure that they are able to provide high quality care and education for all children in their care.
In our current team we have educators who have been trained and can carry out:
Level 3 SEND training Total communication approach Elkan - early language builders WELLCOMM assessment - Speech and language screening tool. Derbyshire small steps PEIC - D - Promoting early interactive conversations PECS - Picture Exchange Communication system Sensory profiling Understand Autism Reactive Attachment disorder
The setting employs an Early Years Teacher to promote a high quality, well balanced and rich curriculum that is inclusive for all children. The team of skilled educators are qualified, experienced and committed to continuous professional development. The team of SEND assistants work closely with the SENCO to ensure their skills and knowledge are matched with the needs of the children in their care. Training and learning opportunities are taken as needed to reflect the needs of individual children in the setting. There is a culture of learning and self reflection that helps the setting to adapt and improve continuously. The wellbeing and safeguarding of children of children is everybody's responsibility but is overseen and coordinated by our Designated safeguarding Lead - Elaine King.