Early Years Local Offer response

Learning and development

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

Up to date SENCO training, tracking each childs individual progress and monitoring development needs. We have close relationships with parents/carers which helps us identify those who may need additional support.

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

Written observations and the necessary next steps planned for. Individual files for all children with additional needs or needing extra support with learning and development. We use Developmental Journals along side our normal tracking.

Links we have to other agencies

In regular contact with Speech and language therapists, Local area SENDco, Educational Psychologists, health visitors, Paediatrician, Child Development Centre workers.

How we support children transferring to school

We have strong links with the local schools, the reception teachers visit the children at the setting and we arrange visits with our staff in the term before they start. We share information about the children through cohort sheets and learning journeys. We offer a smooth transition for all children but offer individual transition meetings to include parents, key person, and reception teacher for children with additional needs. We make individual books for the children who may need a visual props over the summer holidays with photos of the teachers, classroom, equipment etc.

Welfare

Specialist skills or training our staff have

All staff have up to date training in Child Protection and Safeguarding. We have a designated person for Safeguarding and 2 Senco's. All staff have basic Makaton training which is used with all the children. We have Epi-pen training, Emergency medicine training, Diabetic training, Pediatric First Aid, Gastrostomy feeding.

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

Having a robust key person system means that staff know children well and can monitor their well-being throughout their time with us. We follow current healthy eating guidelines in regard to snack and education both to parents/carers and children. We keep clear medication, incident and accident records and have Care Plans in place for individual children where required.

Ways we inform parents about how their child is being supported

We encourage the parents/carers to speak to their children's key person at the beginning/end of the sessions. We have parents evening each term to discuss the children's progress. We encourage the parents to read and take home the children's Learning Journeys and contribute to them. Cohort tracking sheets are used to identify areas of concerns and strengths.

Our complaints policy

We have comprehensive Complaints Policy and Procedures in place, displayed clearly on our notice board in reception.

Access

Alterations we have made to make our building accessible

We have wheelchair access to the front and rear of the building. We would make all efforts to meet any additional needs necessary for children and adults.

Facilities we have for personal care

We have two toilets (one disabled) with low level sink. Access to changing mat and privacy if needed.

Specialist resources we have

We use a visual timetable, Makaton, We would access specialist equipment, resources and training as required.

How we include all children in activities, such as trips

We undertake thorough risk assessments twice daily of the setting and garden. Before all trips/visits we carry out individual risk assessments by visiting without the children to ensure it is suitable for all the children. We ensure there is a very high adult/child ratio 2:1, written permissions from parents, include parents on trips, ensure car insurances have business use.