Early Years Local Offer response

Learning and development

Systems and strategies we have in place to identify children that may require additional support

Our Early Years Practitioners and SENCOs work closely with families, carers and children to build a complete and accurate picture of children’s' needs.  We have close working relationships with other professionals, such as speech therapists, behaviour support workers and educational psychologists.

At Goonhavern Primary School Preschool we recognise that parents and the wider family are essential for effective learning to take place. We are always looking for ways to keep parents informed about and involve parents in their child’s education. Children’s online Learning Journals are always available for parents to look through and add to, these are an important part of the assessment process and help children share successes that may happen at home. We offer an ‘open door policy’ where parents must feel free to drop in and speak to one of the team should they have any concerns or queries.

How we identify and support children's learning and development needs

All children are assessed through observation when they start at our preschool to find out what they ‘can do’.   At Goonhavern Primary School Preschool we keep a comprehensive record of your child’s time in preschool in their ‘Learning Journal’. This takes the form of photographs and films of children’s work and written observations. We use online learning journals (Tapesty) which help us to track children and record their achievements.  Online learning journals can be updated by families too which helps us to make more informed judgements about the progress of the children within our preschool.  It's not unusual from time to time for a child to need a little extra support in a particular area or a more comprehensive plan to help more general development.  If this is the case we work with families and if necessary external agencies to carefully plan our provision to meet the needs of an individual child.  The setting works closely with parents to set children targets or next steps and if necessary this might take the form of an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Regular meetings with parents or carers helps us work as a team in supporting children. Where children receive care and education in more than one setting, practitioners ensure continuity and coherence by sharing relevant information with each other and with parents

Links we have to other agencies

We have close links to many other agencies some of these are:

Early Years Inclusion Team

Early Years Support Team

Speech and Language Therapy

Health Visitors

Family Support Workers

Educational Psychologists

Since the merger with our local Primary School we benefit from the support of a Parent Support Advisor (PSA)

We work closely with other settings to share good practice.

How we support children transferring to school

At Goonhavern Primary School Preschool we understand that starting school can be daunting for both children and parents. We offer a range of opportunities to ensure that the transition into school life is a smooth as possible:

• We work with our local schools to share as much information as possible about your child before they start school.


• You and your child will be invited to stay and play together in their new classroom during in the summer term before starting school. This is a good chance for your child to experience the classroom, play with their new class mates and meet the staff. You will also get a chance to meet other parents and the new teaching team.


• Our local school offers the chance for you and your child to join them for school lunch in the summer term before starting school and have a guided tour of the school from their school council. Some families find this useful for future discussions with their child around school lunch times.


• We are situated on the same premises as our local school.  This offers a huge range of opportunities for collaboration and 'getting to know you' work which takes place all year round.


• If children don't go on to join Goonhavern Primary School we always offer opportunities for transition regardless of which school they plan to attend.

Welfare

Specialist skills or training our staff have

Our leaders and managers have very high expectations and we strive to maintain the highest levels of achievement for all children. In pursuit of excellence leaders clearly identify next steps for our setting, supporting staff in focused professional development in order to achieve our vision. We have an experienced, qualified and dedicated team. Staff undertake continued training to expand and update their skills and knowledge in childcare and education. Goonhavern Preschool has a low staffing turnover. This has allowed the team to work effectively, enabling the team to build a vast wealth of experience, knowledge and understanding. Our lead practitioner is qualified to level 6, with 25+ years experience of working with children. Our SENCO and all staff attend up-to-date training and attend all network meetings, keeping up-to-date with current information and practises.  Staff have basic training in makaton, which is used to support communication throughout the sessions. Staff are trained in promoting positive behaviour, supporting children with sensory needs including autistic spectrum disorder, supporting speech and language, safeguarding, outdoor learning, and visual communication and many more things.

Support we offer regarding children's health and well-being

Children’s welfare and personal development are central to everything we as practitioners do. We are very effective in supporting children’s growing understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy.  The strong skills of all key persons ensure that all children are emotionally well prepared for the next stages in their learning. Practitioners skilfully support children’s transitions both within the setting and to other settings and prepare them for the move to school.  Practitioners give children a wide range of experiences that promote understanding of people, families and communities beyond their own. They teach children the language of feelings and give them opportunities to reflect on their differences. As a result, we feel that our children are confident in social situations and happy to share their ideas and thoughts. They develop a positive sense of themselves and their place in the world. We ensure all staff and volunteers are trained to understand our safeguarding policies and procedures and that parents are made aware of them too.

Ways we inform parents about how their child is being supported

We find that parents are very pleased with the quality and quantity of information about how their child is progressing and how they can help their child to develop. Parents are encouraged to support and contribute to their children’s’ learning and development at home. We encourage our parents to share information about their child’s learning and development beyond the setting through formal and informal meetings, the use of our online learning journal. 

Our complaints policy

We do not like to think that there is anything happening at our preschool which you are not completely happy with. However, we do know this can happen and if you have any concerns please ask to speak to The Pre-School Lead or a member of staff who you feel comfortable speaking with and we will do are very best to resolve the problem. The school has an established complaints procedure, details of which can be locatced on the school website at any time. 

Access

Alterations we have made to make our building accessible

Goonhavern Primary School Preschool is a one level building. An accessibility plan, which is reviewed annually, ensures that we remain an inclusive environment.  Pupils with disabilities are monitored and can be accompanied to ensure safe access to rooms and resources as required .  Quiet spaces are available to children to reduce sensory over load or allow for rest periods due to tiredness or the need for privacy when medical treatment is necessary. Individual fire plans are put in place for children as required. 

Facilities we have for personal care

Discreet area for changing is available. All staff/Committee Members are Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) checked. Visual sequencing photos of hand washing routines are displayed in the children's toilet area. We have an effective key worker system, each child having a first and second keyworker.

Specialist resources we have

Each child receives support matched to their own level of Special Educational Need. This will vary across each day and throughout their time in our school, as the level of support is directly related to their needs and circumstances. Support is allocated in relation to the child’s individual needs and on the advice of external professionals. Support is monitored closely and adapted as and when necessary.

How we include all children in activities, such as trips

As a fully inclusive preschool, all children participate in whole school, curriculum and off site activities. The extent to which each child participates and the levels of support received will vary between children and across time, but we differentiate the activities and expectations to enable all children to take part. The exception to this would be if a child’s behaviour is a risk to themselves or others.