Our Pre-Schools Special Educational Needs and Disability Offer
Below we have tried to answer some common questions about how the Pre-School supports children with special educational needs and disabilities. However, we know that every child is different so please contact us to discuss your child.
How does the Pre-School know if children need extra help and what should I do if I think my child has special educational needs?
We make judgements on all areas of children’s learning; then we review and moderate these every term to ensure their accuracy. This will show us any areas where children may not be making progress. We make clear next steps to support or extend these. We then provide activities with these enhancements, to encourage further development for the child. If the child is still not making progress, then our SENCO (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator) will provide further support and activities.
Outside agencies may be contacted for advice including speech and language, specialist services and nurses. Staff will discuss this with parents at every step. Sallyann Sayer is our SENCO and Dawn Bull is the Pre-School Manager. Both are always available for discussions with parents, outside agencies and our team to ensure consistency for the child.
How will the Pre-School support my child with special educational needs?
Our setting includes children and staff with any need or disability. We will make an assessment of their needs together with the parents/carers and any outside agency involved.
Training is given to all staff and support given to all parents. We put a plan in place which enables all parties to have a consistent approach. A Setting Based Support Plan, or Early Help Plan will be implemented with SMART targets. These targets will then be regularly reviewed. Our SENCO will complete a Setting Based Support Plan with the parents and the child’s key worker.
For more information on the support offered by East Sussex County Council please visit their website at: Early years and preschool – special needs and disability – East Sussex County Council
How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?
Where a child or family may need further support, the East Sussex Early Years Service will be contacted. Then, if necessary, an application for additional funds is made to pay for necessary equipment or support.
For more details, please see the following web page: Funding – early years SEND – East Sussex County Council
How will the Pre-School review my child’s progress and how shall they share it with me?
All children have a summative assessment completed termly that identifies next steps for their individual learning. Every term, we share and agree these with parents. At the same time, we use cohort tracking to highlight any inconsistencies in development. In addition, SEND children also have a Setting Based Support Plan.
What support will there be for my child’s overall well being?
All of our team is trained in pediatric first aid. Similarly, all have Child Protection/Safeguarding certificates. The team is there to support all children and families. Pre-school staff can administer medication (with a prescription) so that children can attend as long as they are well enough to participate in all activities.
Staff support children’s independent skills by encouraging them to blow noses, take themselves to the toilet, etc. Nappy changing is hygienic and Health and Safety is at the forefront of all activities. Our SENCO is responsible for behaviour management. The SENCO ensures that behaviour management approaches are used by the whole team for consistency. We use visual symbols and timetables to support all children.
What training do the staff have in supporting children with special educational needs or disabilities?
Our training includes SENCO training, Child Protection/Safeguarding, Child Development, Epipen training, First Aid, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) training. Most of our key workers are Makaton-trained. We regularly attend Inclusion Support groups to enhance our knowledge. We have support from the Specialist Early Years’ Service, and also from Speech and Language support.
What specialist services and support are available to the Pre-School?
Our team works with Health Services to support children on an EHC plan. They also work with Speech and Language therapists and Health Visitors to support the integrated health review at 2 years old. More information is available here: Education, health and care plans (EHCP) – East Sussex County Council
How will my child be included in activities outside the Pre-School, including trips?
After a review of needs, we can adjust our activities to support all children. Typically we will hold a meeting with parents then put together a plan. For example, using extra staff or helpers for trips. We always carry out a Risk Assessment to ensure all children are safe and included. In addition, parents are able to join in trips and we try to discuss choices of venue with parents of children with special educational needs or disabilities.
How accessible is the Pre-School?
The Pre-School building has wheelchair access and we have a disabled toilet. Furthermore, our environment can be adapted to allow all staff and children to participate fully. We support families who have English as an additional language, and materials in home languages can be provided. We will provide visuals in home languages around Pre-School. Also, we use visual cards and timetables, which support children with English as an additional language as well as children with SEND or communication and speech difficulties, and young children.
How will the Pre-School help my child move on to school?
We have a good relationship with our feeder schools. Of course, we share our site with Peasmarsh Primary School but we also have strong ties to other local schools. Every year, a transition meeting is held for each child where we discuss them with their new teachers to ensure smooth transitions. Discussions will take place with parents prior to the transition time. Setting based support plans, EHC plans and the integrated health review will all be shared with all parties involved.
More information, advice and support
The local offer- what is available for children and young people with special educational needs in East Sussex: Early years and preschool – special needs and disability – East Sussex County Council