Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer Policy.

Policies…learning through play

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer Policy.

Please find below a summary of my Local Offer – followed by the SEND questions and answers – any queries please fell free to contact me, thank you.

My Name : Stacey Roberts

Contact Details : Eastern Avenue, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 6PD

Tel : 07973 449020

stacey@staceyroberts-childminding.com

www.staceyroberts-childminding.com

I am registered on : Early Years Compulsory Register 0 – 8 years and also the Voluntary Register 8 – 18 years

Open hours : Monday – Friday 08:00 – 18:00 (If necessary I am open other hours with prior arrangement at a different rate).

Funded Sessions : Yes – for 2 (where applicable), 3 and 4 year olds.

I am an Ofsted Registered Childminder offering a home from home experience combined with careful use of the Early Years Foundation Stage to help your child reach their full potential.

Each child is treated as an individual and care is organised around their needs and interests.

In order to follow the requirements of the EYFS 2014 and the Childcare Register 2012, I aim to provide an inclusive environment for ALL children and their families. I also need to comply with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and the SEND code of practice 2014.

It is my policy not to discriminate against any child or their family.

No toys are just for boys or girls, challenge stereotypical ideas. Show different genders, people, abilities and ethnic groups in positive images.

Encourage parents/carers to share information on any religion /culture beliefs.

We will use books, colouring sheets, food from around the world, festivals etc.

- - 1. How does the early years setting know if children need extra help and what should I do if think my child may have special educational needs or disabilities?

I will regularly talk to parents/carers about the individual needs of their child. Using the 2 year old progress check to highlight any areas of concern in prime areas of learning (though any concerns would also be highlighted as and when necessary).

If either of us felt your child had special educational needs we can gain help and advice from the relevant specialist services.

2. How will early years setting staff support my child?

I do both adult-led and adult guided planning alongside following children’s interests and learning styles to support every child to reach their full potential. Use of observations and assessments of learning linked to the Early years Outcomes to monitor progress and highlight if there are any areas that need further help.

Above all, having fun and helping your child become as confident and independent as possible.

- 3. How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s needs?

Each Early Years Child has a Learning Journal, including tracking forms and Individual Learning Plans. The learning plans are updated monthly and will both follow your child’s interests and some new ideas as well. Regular observations have next steps on them, along with space for you to write any comments.

4. How will both you and I know how my child is doing and how will you help me to support my child’s learning?

You are able to talk / contact me as and when regarding your child’s learning. Daily diaries are used for pre-school children so you are able to clearly see what your child has been doing / eating / any naps etc.

Home Sheets are sent home monthly so you can share any activities that your child has been doing at home – it also would have a suggested activity that you could complete together with your child at home.

Any concerns would be discussed with you straight away in order to provide any necessary support.

5. What support will there be for my child’s overall well being?

The overall well being of your child is extremely important. I aim to provide a safe and secure environment, suitable toys and equipment for the age groups I am looking after.

I have various Risk Assessments and Policies and Procedures in place to keep your child in a safe and secure environment.

I am ‘police checked’ and attend the Paediatric 1st Aid courses and Child Protection as and when required.

6. What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the early years setting?

There are a variety of services in West Sussex that can be accessed if needed, to include the FIRST Team, Health Visitors, Speech and Language therapists, Childminding Coordinator. I also have the local Children’s Centre within a 10 minutes’ walk which gives you access to a wealth of services and knowledge.

I attend any local Network Meetings where possible to ensure I am up to date with any changes.

7. What training are the staff, supporting children with SEND, had or having?

I have attended a number of training courses, to include : Including All Children course / Letters and Sounds / Early Language Development Programme / Makaton Foundation / Three Day Self-Evaluation Training on the Family Child Care Environment Training rating Scale (FCCERS-R) / Level 3 NVQ in Children’s Care Learning and Development / Level 2 in Pre-School Practice / Introduction to Childcare Practice (home-based level 3) / Paediatric First Aid in Childcare / Risk Assessment (principles and practice of) / Child Protection / Discovery Boxes and Treasure Baskets / Level 2 Food Safety in Catering / Promoting Positive Behaviour / Fire Safety for Childminders.

8. How will my child be included in activities outside the early years setting including trips?

I obtain an All About Me documentation before any care is given – this gives me an excellent insight on the activities your child enjoys doing, also regular discussions with parents / carers ensures I am kept up to date with any changes.

Certain activities can be adapted to include all children. I consider myself to be fully inclusive and would not consider an outing if it was not accessible to all the children.

9. How accessible is the early years setting environment? (Indoors and outdoors)

My home is not really wheelchair accessible. You would be able to get a wheelchair through the back gate and into the conservatory (if a small ramp was added) – though not throughout the house.

I have had a downstairs toilet installed to help the children with their toileting which makes it easier than going upstairs.

The toy boxes have both pictures and words on them to make accessing and clearing toys easier. A use of a visual timetable, low storage systems so children can help themselves and choose which toys they would like.

I also, where possible, use Makaton signing on a basic level.

10. How will the early years setting prepare and support my child to join the early years setting, transfer to a new setting / school?

Before any child comes here you are offered a settling in session, more can be accessed to ensure both you and your child feel safe and secure. They would be introduced to any other children and made to feel welcome and valued, including them in any activities that are happening at the time (which would probably be based on your child’s interests as laid out in the All About Me document).

If moving to another setting / school – where possible discussions with your child could be had, stories on the subject can be useful way of getting your child to understand what is going on. They may well have settling in sessions at the new setting / nursery.

11. How are the early years setting’s resources allocated and matched to children’s special educational needs?

I gain resources based on the children’s interests and needs, I also have the use of the Toy Library available to me and books from the library. I also collect any shopping vouchers e.g. Tesco’s and Sainsbury Active Kids and gain certain arts and crafts / sensory items from there.

12. How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?

Individual Planning is done monthly and observation as and when to include next steps and comments from parents/carers. If I felt that your child needed extra help in any certain area I would discuss this with you and we can both work in partnership to achieve the goals required. If need be I could find out any outside help that could be of benefit on your behalf (permission gained beforehand if any personal information needed to be given out).

It is my aim to ensure that the children are as independent as they can be, whilst in a safe, secure and fun environment.

13. How are parents involved in the early years setting? How can I be involved?

Parents are free to discuss any queries they have at drop off time / collection – via text, phone or email etc. I give out parent/career questionnaires to gain some feedback on services and if any changes are required (though of course this can be discussed at any time). On the monthly home sheets there is a section for you to complete as to what your child has been doing at home and any suggestions for areas of learning you would like me to try.