Early Years Local Offer response

Learning and development

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

At Smart Start Preschool we offer a 'booking in' interview for all prospective parents/carers with the preschool's manager where queries and concerns may be raised. All children attending the Preschool are monitored and observed in line with the EYFS. Baseline assessments are made shortly after children join the setting. A 2 year developmental progress check is carried out and shared with parents and any concerns regarding development will be discussed. Parents meetings are held regularly providing opportunities for discussions regarding developmental progress. Staff share developmental assessments with parents, communicate regularly and answer queries, offer reassurance and info the parents of their child's progress and ensure they are provided with all necessary information. The Preschool uses an online system of Learning Journeys called 'Tapestry' where parents complete an 'All About Me' page to assist staff in getting to know your child, share observations made via a secure login and are able to comment and add their own observations in order that they fully participate in the Preschool/Parent partnership. The SENCo will liaise with parents and any outside agencies involved to monitor progress. Individual education plans (IEP) or behaviour plans are drawn up in consultation with all who are involved with the child. This will help with physical, cognitive and social development. Planning is 'child led' so that the curriculum is built around children's interests. One to one support is provided if your child requires adult input to ensure their own or others safety. Our SENCo is able to make referrals to necessary agencies and has experience of applying for addition funding to support individual children. For example place plus funding.

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

The amount of support given to a child is tailored to fit their individual needs. The assigned Key Person will work with your child and implement next steps to aid their development. Staff work closely with children that have I.E.P’s (individual education plans) to ensure learning is differentiated for their developmental needs. I.E.P’s are reviewed regularly and in partnership with parents. We signpost parents and carers to family information services and childrens centres for support if they require. We use visual supports as part of inclusive practise. These visuals include now and next, visual timetables and spot timers.

Links we have to other agencies

The Preschool works closely with the Local Authority and a range of multi agency support are utilised to assist in a child's next steps. External agencies involved with your child are able to visit the Preschool to observe or work with your child. We work closely with outside professionals, and follow written targets from them which include speech and language therapists, Senior area SENCO’s, ASD workers, Health visitors, Family Support Workers, CDC teachers, Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and the educational psychologist.

How we support children transferring to school

Due to its location children from the Preschool move on to a variety of local schools. Staff from the Preschool liaise closely with any school that one of our children will be attending. Class teachers are welcomed into the setting and are able to meet the children and Learning Journeys and children tracking are shared with the teachers. Extra transition meetings are organised for children with SEND to ensure all information is passed on accurately.

Welfare

Specialist skills or training our staff have

Staff have a wealth of experience in child care and child development. The Preschool's SENCo, Debbie Branch, has a BA Hons Degree in Early Childhood and Early Years Professional Status which included training in Special Educational Needs and has previously worked as a SEN teaching assistant in a primary school. Debbie has recently attended SENCo training. All staff have recent First Aid training and have all attended Visuals training to support children with communication and behaviour. Personal professional development is very important to us and staff supervision enables the setting to highlight training needs.

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

The Key Person is responsible for ensuring your child is safe and secure; both emotionally and physically throughout the transition from home to Preschool and later to full time education. We maintain an inclusive service. The Preschool rooms and outdoor play area are checked before each session for safety and daily risk assessments completed. We have a designated Safeguarding officer who has attended training which is our manager. All staff are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities towards safeguarding children, attended safeguarding training and know the course of action to take if they are concerned about the welfare of a child in our care. We have named members of staff that are responsible for behaviour management, SENCO and safeguarding. Risk assessments are regularly carried out. We actively encourage the children to develop their independence and make children aware of the importance of good health and hygiene. The children help to prepare their own snacks in our snack cafe and pour their own drinks. Our staff are engaged with the early years inclusion service to support children’s needs. We have been involved in the early support process and attend TAC meetings for children.

Ways we inform parents about how their child is being supported

At Smart Start Preschool we ensure that every child’s care is tailored to meet their individual needs. We see a working partnership with parents as paramount to our practice. Parents meetings are held regularly and our online Learning Journeys ensure that parents information regarding their child's learning and development within the Preschool is up to date. Staff are always available when children are dropped off and collected from Preschool for communication between parents and are always happy to talk by phone or e-mail about any concerns you may have. More formal meetings can always be arranged if needed. We have a parent’s notice board in our foyer with lots of information and leaflets are available providing useful information to parents. We also display photos of activities your child has been enjoying recently at preschool and our Facebook page is regularly updated providing an opportunity for parents to see what fun we have had at Preschool. We also have a ‘wow’ board to share the children’s achievements and love to share this with the children. Regular newsletters are sent out to parents with relevant information and we often send questionnaire as we value parent’s feedback on our service.

Our complaints policy

At Smart Start Preschool we will give prompt and serious attention to any concerns about the running of our setting. We anticipate that most concerns will be resolved quickly by an informal approach. If this does not achieve the desired result we have a set of procedures for dealing with complaints. All of our policies and procedures are available in a file in the setting and on constant display. An Ofsted poster is displayed informing parents of contact details to report concerns.

Access

Alterations we have made to make our building accessible

Our building is fully accessible and our setting complies with all legal requirements regarding accessibility. We have a ramped access into the building and provide accessible toilets. We complete an ongoing Access Plan in order to assess and evaluate our inclusive service.

Facilities we have for personal care

An accessible toilet with nappy changing facilities is available on site for sole use of the Preschool. We provide a variety of potties, toilet steps/seats and toilet seats for children that are toilet training. All staff are DBS checked and wear protective gloves and aprons when changing clothes and nappies. Nappies are disposed of in a hygienic nappy disposal system. Parents are informed via our app when their child has been changed within the Preschool. Within the Messy Play room we have a child sized Kiddy Sink enabling children to independently access convenient hand washing facilities. We have fresh drinking water on offer at all times for the children from a water cooler to access independently.

Specialist resources we have

Our outside activities include a sensory Light room with lights and sensory objects to explore. We also provide sensory toys within our indoor resources. We have communication toys available such as talking tins, easy speak microphone and talking photo albums. We use Early Talk Boost sessions for children identified as having language delay.  We use a visual timetable when required alongside spot timers and now and next boards so the children are well prepared to stop what they are playing and know what will be coming next and as a method of behaviour management. We work closely alongside a range of outside professional agencies to ensure the children in our care have the correct equipment for their individual needs.

How we include all children in activities, such as trips

At Smart Start Preschool we include all children in all of the activities that we offer. All activities/trips are risk assessed and adaptations made if necessary.