SEND Information and Local Offers

Policy statement:

At Beechcroft Day Nursery we are committed to providing an environment in which all children are treated equally and given the same opportunities. We strive to ensure the inclusion of all children and they are all supported to reach their full potential.

We monitor and review our policy, practice and provision and, if necessary, make adjustments.

We work in partnership with parents and other agencies in meeting individual children’s needs.

We identify the specific needs of children with special educational needs and meet those needs through a range of SEND strategies.

We at Beechcroft Day Nursery follow the SEND code of practice when working with, planning and supporting children with SEND.

We will work with the parents/carers and other professionals to ensure the wellbeing of the child.

Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo)

We have designated staff members acting as our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators

Our SENCo’s are:

Hayley White and Kristina Smith

Both may be contacted via Beechcroft Day Nursery.

What should I do if I am concerned about my child’s progress or special educational needs?

Staff are available on a daily basis to discuss any concerns you might have about your child. You can discuss your concerns with your child’s key worker informally or request that a formal meeting takes place.

Beechcroft Day Nursery also offers the opportunity to have a formal meeting with the key worker every 3 months to discuss your child’s progress.

Parents of children receiving additional support are invited to discuss their progress with the SENCO and help to set their ongoing targets.

The children’s learning journals are available for parents to see on request at any time. The learning journals contain photographic evidence of the children’s progress and experiences.

How does the nursery decide whether a child has special education needs and what extra help they need?

The key workers are very experienced and get to know your child very well when working with them on a daily basis. They are continually observing and assessing the children through their engagement, motivation and thinking throughout your children’s time at nursery.

Achievements are recorded using the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance enabling the staff to see if the children are making progress in line with age related expectations. The progress of the children is monitored by the key workers.

From this monitoring process staff bring any concerns to the SENCO and Manager. Any children making less than expected progress will be monitored and if necessary given additional support.

Parents will be informed of any concerns and any additional support that is deemed necessary.

How does the nursery deal with a child who arrive with already identified SEND needs?      

For a child who has been assessed to have special educational needs there will be termly planning meetings with the parent and the SENCO.

Targets will be set for the term and then reviewed to see what progress has been made.

New targets will then be set as necessary.

Strategies to support the child’s individual needs will be discussed and external professional advice will be included when appropriate.

The child’s well-being is paramount before learning can begin. We pride ourselves in the way we encourage and support the children to become confident, independent and happy. The children are offered a wide range of experiences to celebrate and feel they are an important member of the nursery.

We take every opportunity to expose the children to many experiences from playing in the mud kitchen, growing fruit and vegetables, making decorations for different festivals and celebrations, and visiting the Zoo. We ensure the children feel safe and secure in the nursery environment by establishing simple rules.

We teach the children to respect each other and their environment. All practitioners are aware of child protection procedures and know how to report any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

What training and specialist skills do the staff supporting children with SEND have or are having?

All practitioners in the nursery support children with special educational needs. We at Beechcroft Day Nursery strongly believe in an inclusive education and ensure that all children have access to all opportunities offered within the nursery.

We have a team of outstanding practitioners who continually work together to improve their practice. All practitioners have a child care qualification. All staff are continually developing their practice. The SENCO both attend up to date training programmes.

How will you help me to support my child’s learning?

Your role as a parent is central to your children’s education. We value your knowledge and understanding of your child and believe it is our role to support your child and family. We will encourage you to give us information about your child and to contribute to their Portfolio’s throughout the year. During Parent meetings with your child’s key worker you will discuss their progress, interests, friendship groups and also areas that you can work on and help to develop with your child. Parents are also given the opportunity to support us by volunteering in the nursery in a variety of ways. This will give you an insight into what happens in the nursery routine and what it is like to be part of our daily routine

How can I find information about the local authority’s Local Offer of services and provision for children with special educational needs and disability?

Wandsworth Information Advice and Support Service (WIASS) provides an impartial, free and confidential service to all parents of children with SEND and young people with SEND.

Visit their website at http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/wiass

email: wiass@wandsworth.gov.uk

telephone: 020 8871 8065

Contact a Family – Independent Support (CaF) provides impartial, free and confidential, Independent Support services to provide information and support for Wandsworth families who are going through the process of getting an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment.

To book an appointment with an Independent Support worker telephone 020 8947 5260 or email iswandsworth@cafamily.org.uk

The Wandsworth Parents’ Forum “Positive Parent Action” works with the Council to improve all provision for children and young people with SEN and Disabilities aged 0 to 25.

If you want to get involved in influencing services visit their website at www.positiveparentaction.org.uk

telephone 020 8947 5260 or email info@positiveparentaction.org.uk

More information about Wandsworth’s local offer of services and support for children and young people with special needs and disabilities in Wandsworth can be found on the Local Offer website at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/localoffer .

The Family Information Service (FIS) helpline is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday:

Telephone: 020 8871 7899

email fis@wandsworth.gov.uk

Text  07797 805 456 with “FIS” at the beginning of your message.