Early Years Local Offer response

Learning and development

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

Key-workers plan the curriculum taking into account children's individual interests and needs. We follow the new SEN Graduated Response –Assess, Plan, Do, Review which breaks down their learning aims into smaller steps and outlines strategies that staff will use to support them reach these targets. This is monitored by the Senco and the Manager of the Nursery. Decisions are made on a case by case basis, and always in partnership with parents. Through SEND Graduated Response, we have a clear picture of each child's progress in all areas of learning. Each child has a online learning journey, they are available for parents to view at any time. Parents are asked to contribute to the journal so it becomes a lovely record of a child's learning journey. Parents are encouraged to be involved in reviewing their child's plan and setting the goals. 

Danielle has recently achieved a level 3 SENCo award in early years 

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

Key-workers carry out on entry baseline assessments of every child. Key-workers will assess whether children are meeting the development matters statements within each area through observing them as they play and by talking to parents and carers. Soon after a child's 2nd birthday ,key-workers carry out a progress check assessing their progress against the three prime areas of learning. These areas are communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development. This check can help to identify any areas where children might need some extra support. The 2 year check is given to parents to show to their Health visitor.  Planning is carried out taking into account children's interests.  key-workers support children to develop knowledge and skills in a way that is appropriate for their stage of development. Puffins prides itself on the excellent care it is able to provide for both children and parents. We ensure that co-ordinated support is available and that individual family circumstances are always considered. Children with SEND and their families are fully supported.

Links we have to other agencies

Health visitor. Speech and Language Therapists, Portage Workers. Senior Locality Sencos Early Years Inclusion Service (EYIS) The hearing support service, Early help hub. 

How we support children transferring to school

For any child who is in need of extra support - visual timetables or social stories will be made and used with staff working together to help the child feel confident and secure in their transfer.

We invite teachers into the setting to meet the children and play. This is encouraged before transitions start so the children are familiar with the adult. 

Welfare

Specialist skills or training our staff have

Two members of staff have attended SENCO induction day training also the SENCO has attended network training meetings some were held at the Nursery and are always very informative .At our regular staff meetings the SENCO informs staff showing new Makaton signs and symbols also handing out new visual aid packs and social stories which has taken time to prepare copies for each group in the Nursery discussing all relevant information how to use them with the children .

Danielle has recently achieved a level 3 SENCo award in early years in 2019 and is always looking to attend additional training when opportunities arise.

Danielle has attended SENIF training as well as Makaton training on core signs. 

 

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

Promote Healthy Eating and Lifestyle,  all diets catered for by our own cook with all meals freshly cooked daily.

We encourage good oral health through stories, puppets and activities. We discuss good food choices and children take part in a variety of cooking activities and daily opportunities to chop foods and pour there own drinks encouraging independence. 

We are now part of the healthy movers programme and carry out a variety of physical activities with the children daily.

Ways we inform parents about how their child is being supported

Parents / carers are informed who their child's new key worker will be .For any child who is in need of extra support - visual timetables or social stories will be made and used with staff working together to help the child feel confident and secure in the group.Key-workers plan the curriculum taking into account children's individual interests and needs. We follow the new SEND Graduated Response –Assess, Plan, Do, Review which breaks down their learning aims into smaller steps and outlines strategies that staff will use to support them reach these targets. This is monitored by the Senco and the Manager of the Nursery. Decisions are made on a case by case basis, and always in partnership with parents.

Our complaints policy

Parents who believe their child's needs are not being met within the Nursery are asked to meet the Manager to talk through their concerns.

Access

Alterations we have made to make our building accessible

The setting entrance is approached from the public highway via a long driveway into the car park. This approach is reasonably level ,there is a ramp leading up to entrance doors this allows acceptable access for wheelchairs. There is a large car park for setting users . Access to entrance main doors is available should transferring from a vehicle to a wheelchair be required. The Nursery has five cubicles located off the corridor opposite the kitchen, there is adequate wheelchair access to one toilet with satisfactory wheelchair turning space in the corridors. Externally there is a hard surface play area leading to a grassed area which with funding received has been transformed allowing disabled access throughout, this provides early years education and day care making services accessible under the Disability Discrimination Act - (The Equality Act 2010) this can be found on page 5(xix)in the new Code of Practice 2014 To ensure that the safety of disabled children is not compromised in the event of an emergency, devising a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP)it should cover awareness of escape procedures, ability to raise or hear the fire alarm , how to communicate with them in an emergency.

Facilities we have for personal care

Individual nappy changing areas,we have five toilets and wash basins ,with one toilet for adults and one for the after school club,we have a sleep room for babies and older children.

Specialist resources we have

Children have access to -visual timetables -traffic lights -Makaton picture signs and symbols Personalised visual timetables are available to support independence .If we require a resource we will purchase or arrange to borrow some sensory equipment and additional resources from specialist departments.All members of staff are an important resource each with their own specialist skills in caring for your child's personal needs.

How we include all children in activities, such as trips

Adjustments will be made to support all children in their participation in activities and any trips.Risk assessments / Health and Safety are carried out for each trip and a suitable number of adults are made available to accompany the pupils, with one to one support if necessary. Parents are invited to go out with their children on visits or to help on trips in order to maintain adult/child ratios if we leave the building.