Local Offer

How will the Nursery/Pre-School know if my child needs extra help and what should I do if I think my child may have special educational needs?
Special educational needs and provision can be considered as being categorised within four broad areas:

– Communication and interaction
– Cognition and learning
– Social, mental and emotional health
– Sensory and/or physical

Here at Ladybird Nursery we identify a child as having Special educational needs if he/she is displaying a delay within their developmental progress or a disability that can restrict them from accessing all the facilities that are presented to them; and this may require extra educational support.

At Ladybird we recognise and understand it is essential for us to identify any delay of development as soon as possible, so that we as a setting can begin providing the necessary additional support.

At the setting we have an allocated Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) officer who is responsible for the process of identifying a child with special educational needs and ensuring that appropriate measure(s) are put in place to help support any children that may require additional help.

At Ladybird we have a key person system that will complete regular observations on their key children. They monitor a child’s individual progress through these observations and alongside having the Parent/Carer partnership, will identify any areas that may require additional support. If a concern has been raised either by the Parent/Carer or key person then evidence would have to be created to support the child’s developmental need.

Our setting’s SENCo would observe the child and then liaise with the key person and Parent/Carer on the next steps of supporting the child’s recognised delay and needs. If you have any concern(s) that may have to do with your child’s development, please do not hesitate to talk to your child’s key worker or our setting’s SENCo as communication is the key to receiving the best outcome for your child’s development. In deciding whether a child may have Special Educational Needs, initial information required would be:

1. Two year progress check (if age appropriate)
2. The child’s individual observation records
3. Assessment on a child’s progress within the areas Personal, Social and Emotional development; Communication and Language; and Physical development this would be in line with Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum
4. Parental Observations
5. Information from outside agencies (if appropriate)

How does the Nursery/Pre-school evaluate the effectiveness of its provision for my child?
Here at Ladybird we are very eager on having a strong partnership with the Parents/Carers. We recognise that they know their child best and we take any concerns that they may have about their child seriously and deal with them quickly and sensitively.

If an area is highlighted within a child’s development to have a delay then our setting’s SENCo and the child’s key person would create a revised plan which would be reasonable and appropriate targets for the child to work towards such as an Individual Educational Plan (IEP). A meeting would be held with Parents/Carers, SENCo and the child’s key person to discuss this IEP to tailor that child’s needs in regards to their delay. All interventions will be closely observed and routinely reviewed by the SENCo to ensure that the IEP is having positive and effective contribution on the child’s development.

How will both Nursery/Pre-school and I know how my child is doing and how will the Nursery/Pre-school help me to support my child’s learning?
Monitoring the child’s progress will be completed by the appropriate staff via observations, monitoring their progress every three months and the regular term review of the child’s IEP. Parents/Carers are crucial to the support of the targets that have been created in each IEP and they will be expected to participate within a meeting regarding these individual agreed targets for their child.

How will Nursery/Pre-school staff support my child?
Appropriate staff would be made aware of any child’s special educational needs; we would take the appropriate action for the child to be able to thrive by putting in place the most effective provisions to tailor the child’s individual targets set. This supports effective and thorough practice. As the child makes progression within their development then targets would be revised to up keep with this. Staff would also attend relevant training to support children’s developmental need(s) i.e. Makaton training, Autism awareness etc.

How is the decision made about the type and how much support my child will receive?
As well as the staff at Ladybird Nursery we are also supported by our Area Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinators (SENDCo’s). A SENDCo would observe and evaluate the child’s delay and provide assistance in what support is required – this is adapted to each individual child that may require additional support. Resources are allocated based on the requirements of the child. For example a child who has a speech and language delay would benefit and be supported through attending sessions with a speech and language therapist who will analyse and present practical measures to the Parent/Carer on how to help and support the child within this area.

How will my child be included in activities outside the Nursery/Pre-school setting including specific outings/trips?
We feel that it is important for all children to come on any trips or outings ad we will ensure that the necessary planning is done to make sure that the outing is made suitable for a child with any special education needs. We will liaise with the Parent/Carer about measures that may need to be put in place and provide extra support if needed for the child to effectively enjoy the trip.

What support will there be for my child’s overall well-being?
We at Ladybird are dedicated to providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment for all children and know that they learn best when this is established. We recognise the importance of meeting every child’s learning and developmental needs and we feel that the environment we provide a child is able to grow in fulfilling their full potential.

The bond between the child and the key person is vital to ensure the child is settled and happy when coming to Ladybird. By demonstrating positive relationships this ensures the child and key person obtaining a healthy relationship which assist in the child’s developmental progression.

All our staff are First aid trained and receive regular updates in guidance with Health and Safety regulations. We have a medication policy in place within our setting to ensure that the correct procedures are adhered to so that all children can receive the best quality of care. Any additional daily medical care that is required staff will be advised on the best procedure to administer this care and receive any necessary training if required.

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the Nursery/Pre-school?
Along with the Ladybird team we work alongside specialists outside agencies so that we can effectively cater to every child’s special educational needs. Through our Local authority SENDCo they would liaise with other agencies such as: Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy or any other specialists that would assist with a child’s need. Staffs attend regular training as part of their developmental progression in the appropriate areas.

How accessible is the Nursery/Pre-school both indoors and outdoors?
At Ladybird we have two rooms and a main garden that are accessible to the children whilst attending the setting. These are all on ground level with no steps within any of the entry or exiting points. We have off street parking which makes it easy and accessible for Parents/Carers to visit the setting. We currently do not have any disabled toilets.

How are Parents involved in the Nursery/Pre-school? How can I get involved?
Parents/Carers partnership is crucial to ensure their child is thriving and is able to achieve to the best of their ability. We warmly welcome Parents/Carers into the setting such as events that are taking place within the Nursery and appreciate any contribution that they give. Such ways that we involve Parents/Carers within our setting are:

– Parent Planning contribution – We encourage Parents/Carers to inform us of any interest or areas of their child’s development learning that they would like us to focus on

– Parent/Carer observations – We encourage Parents/Carers to record any ‘wow moments’ that they have witnessed their child do. By recording this and informing the staff this will help their child in increasing their development here at the setting

– Consultations – We have these twice a year, this is an opportunity for the Parent/Carer to liaise with their child’s key person regarding their child’ development progress and how they can help support this at home

– Events – Any events that are held at the setting Parents/Carers are invited to attend and participate in.

If your child has a special educational need as well as the above examples you will also be invited to meetings every term to discuss your child’s progress and agree on your child’s next targets to be set within their IEP.

We welcome feedback and suggestions from Parents/Carers and hope that we are approachable if they needed to talk to us about any concerns or worries. However, if you need information regarding our Complaints Policy Procedure it will be accessible through the entry foyer.

How will the Nursery/Pre-school prepare and support my child to transfer to a new setting or school?
When it comes to the time for your child to move to school, we will do our best to ensure that we make the transition as smooth as possible for them. We try to (when assisted by the school) either have visits to the child’s new school to meet their new teacher or have them come to our setting to meet your child. We will also organise a Person Centred Planning meeting where we will invite you as the Parent/Carer, the Area SENDCo, representatives from the school and any other agencies involved to discuss information about your child such as: the additional needs that your child may have; best ways to help your child etc.; and an action plan i.e.. Educational Healthcare Plan (EHC) will be drawn up to ensure a smooth transition.