Special educational needs and disabilities
Local Offer
How does Colgate Pre-school know if children need extra help and what should I do if I think my child may have special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities?
Prior to starting Colgate Pre-school parents are invited to visit our setting and view the facilities we have available. The Manager or Deputy will meet with you and discuss your child joining the setting. This will provide you with the opportunity to discuss your child’s development and any concerns you have regarding their progress.
Every child is treated on an individual basis and we aim to meet each child’s specific needs. Each child is allocated a key person who will meet with you on a regular basis. Through observations your key worker will track your child’s progress and plan for their learning. If we identify that your child may need support with your permission we can seek support and advice from other appropriate professionals.
Parents who have concerns regarding their child’s progress should speak to their key person who will liaise with the setting’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) to provide appropriate support.
How will Colgate Pre-school staff support my child?
Parents are provided with a Welcome Pack and asked to complete it prior to starting Colgate Pre-school. This enables us to gain as much information as possible about your child in order to prepare for them joining our setting. At your welcome meeting we will explain how staff will support your child through our key person system. Each child will be allocated a key person who will meet with you regularly to discuss your child’s progress. Your key person will track your child’s progress by completing a Learning Journal consisting of observations and assessments which build individual learning plans to provide for their next steps in learning.
Colgate pre-school works with a range of professionals to support children's individual needs.
How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s needs?
We aim to provide an inclusive curriculum that meets the need of each individual child. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) recognises that each child is unique and curriculums should be provided that meet each child’s individual needs. At weekly staff meetings children’s individual likes, preferences and needs are discussed and plans are developed to ensure we are delivering a suitable curriculum that matches children needs.
How will I know how my child is doing and how will you help me to support my child’s learning?
Colgate Pre-school believes in building good parent partnerships to support the development of every child. Members of staff are available to talk to parents at the beginning and end of every session. Meetings can be arranged with the Manager, Deputy, SENCO or Key Person during a session for longer discussions when necessary. Your Key Person will meet with you regularly to discuss your child's progress.
What support will there be for my child’s overall wellbeing?
Children who require medical support will be provided with a care plan to ensure their needs are monitored and met. All medication is stored appropriately in individual named wallets and parents must give permission for staff to administer medicine. A medication record is kept of all medication administered and parents are required to sign the record when medication has been administered.
Colgate Pre-school adopts positive behaviour management strategies to support children’s behaviour and works closely with parents to provide a continuity of care.
Children’s views are sought through a variety of methods which include group and individual discussions, parental questionnaires and circle time.
What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by Colgate Pre-school?
Colgate Pre-school has access to a support network of professionals through the Family Information Service.
What training have the staff at Colgate Pre-school who support children with SEN and disabilities had or are having?
Members of staff at Colgate Pre-school have received training in Speech and Language support, Behaviour Management, Sensory Play and Inclusion Training.
How will my child be included in activities outside Colgate Pre-school including school trips?
Colgate Pre-school aims to be inclusive an involve children in all activities and trips. Pre-visits are made before a trip to identify health and safety implications and accessibility for all children. Risk assessments identify hazards and plans are developed to address concerns. Parent’s views are sought when necessary and parents are invited to join the trip if they wish.
How accessible is Colgate Pre-school?
Colgate Pre-school runs in a Village Hall and has limited access. There is ramp access at the side of the building but there is a step to access the outside area. There is currently no wheelchair accessible toilet in the setting.
How will Colgate Pre-school prepare and support my child to join the setting, transfer to a new setting or the next stage of education and life?
Colgate Pre-school offers an open morning in the summer term for all prospective parents and children. Parents are invited to make an appointment to view the Pre-school during a session for a guided tour of all areas of the setting. At your welcome meeting a settling programme will be designed to meet the individual needs of your child. Transitions to new settings are supported through our transition programme which includes reports and plans that are forwarded to your new setting. Your Key Person will liaise with the new setting and with your permission invite them to visit your child in our setting. Colgate Pre-school works with a number of local feeder schools during the transition process to Primary School. We have a close relationship with Colgate Primary School and organise regular visits to the School during the summer term.
How are Colgate Pre-school’s resources allocated and matched to children’s special educational needs?
Colgate Pre-school is able to access inclusion funding to help support children’s individual learning needs. We are also able to access resources and specialist equipment from local children’s centres.
How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?
When a child is identified as requiring support for a specific need the Manager and SENCO will meet with the parent to discuss how we can best meet their needs. If appropriate other professionals will be involved for advice and support. Individual plans will be completed and reports provided where necessary. All decisions will be made on an individual basis. The input of all support will be monitored to assess the impact on the child’s progress and adapted as necessary.
Who can I contact for further information?
Contact Information:
Telephone: 01293 851606 or 07716951016
Email: colgatepreschool@btconnect.com
Setting Manager and Early Years Teacher: Lisa Smith
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO): Vikki Sollis