How do you communicate with the parent / carer whose child has SEND?
Make an appointment with key-person to arrange a consultation. Give them time and space away from others, so that they can talk about the child and their learning and how we will support them. We also have a home link diary and parents have opportunities to write in there or contribute ideas for us to jointly support together for their child. If parent/carer are unhappy with our provision then they can request to speak to the manger. If they are still unhappy then they can e-mail the chair directly.
How do you help children settle into your setting?
Every child has a key-person from the moment they start at the setting, and the key person will introduce themselves on that first day. All members of staff and their names are on our information board so that any parent can access it, and find out who they are. We have a manager and a deputy at our setting and appointed SEND co-ordinator, and also an additional support worker who will work closely with the key-person.
What help and support does your setting offer to children with SEND as they move rooms or move on to school?
We would invite any relevant professionals and parents, also the new school/nursery SENCO/teacher to come to a meeting at our setting, providing opportunities to discuss any information that we can share on their child.
How do you find out how each child likes to learn?
Every child has a portfolio and it is the key-person responsibility to keep this up to date, and track their development working within the EYFS guidelines. Every child is a Focus Child for a whole week, and all staff contribute with observations and gathering information for their portfolios. We have daily staff meetings before the session starts, where staff can voice if they have any worries or concerns about the children.
There are plenty of activities for all children to participate in, and before starting at Twin Oaks pre-school the parents are asked to fill out a key-person initial discussion form. This tells us what the child likes to play with. Before a child with SEND starts at Twin Oaks Pre-school, we would of already had that initial meeting and all the information on them. So any support would be in place for them.
Inclusive practice / SEND training and expertise within this organisation
We have a very experienced SEND co-ordinator, who is fully trained and attends all new and relevant training. We also have a full time dedicated additional support worker.