- How we identify if your child / young person may need additional help and/or has special educational needs (SEN)
At Casterton we:
- Liaise with parents/carers during the transition period
- Parents discuss concerns with staff
- Reports from Health Care Professionals
- On-going observations and assessment
We continually observe the children and make assessments as they learn. Children who are not making expected progress will be given support to aid their development.
- How we involve parents and carers in meeting the individual needs of their child / young person and in whole Setting / School / College developments
We pride ourselves in building positive, trusting, yet sensitive relationships with parents/carers, to enable respectful sharing of information, so talk to us and share your concerns. If you have any concerns about your child’s development, firstly contact your child’s key-person or the settings’ SENCO.
- How we provide additional support and how we match the curriculum, teaching and learning approaches if your child / young person has SEND
Children are at the centre of all we do and we will work with you to support your child together. We believe parents have a unique overview of their child’s needs and how best to support them, giving them a key role in the partnership.
Our SENCO will closely monitor all provision and the progress of any child requiring additional support across the setting. The key-person will oversee, plan and work with each child with SEND to ensure that progress in each area is made.
Each child learns and develops at their own pace. Staff ensure that activities are tailored to each child’s individual way of learning.
On-going observation and assessment will be used as a starting point within the first few weeks, from this, next steps will be put in to place and relevant activities implemented to help the child progress.
- How we measure and review your child / young person's progress against their targets and longer term outcomes
We offer an open door policy, where you are welcome to come and discuss how your child is doing on a daily basis. Here are a few other ways we encourage communication with parents:
- Termly Parents’ Evenings – these are informal meeting where your child’s key-person shares your child’s progress with you.
- Learning Journeys – these documents show what your child has achieved over their time within the setting.
- HomeLinks – this gives you information about what has been on offer to your child over the term. It also gives you an opportunity to share any information you have noticed at home.
- Stay and Play Sessions – these are opportunities for parents to come and visit the setting, to see what goes on daily.
- Two Year Old Check – the aim of the Two Year Progress Check is to ensure parents have a clear picture of their child’s development and how to enhance development at home. It helps practitioners to plan effectively and appropriately for each individual child and provide support when necessary. It also supports a child where a concern has been raised, so that he/she can reach their full potential. This is known as early intervention and may include multi agencies working with us and your child to support any additional needs.
If your child has any SEND needs, an additional termly meeting will be arranged to discuss your child’s targets and progress.
- External support and expertise we can call upon to help us to identify and meet children / young people's needs
Our SENCO is fully trained and attends termly Inclusion meetings held by the Local Authority. They also attend any relevant SEND training throughout the year, to keep themselves up to date with any new initiative that may arise.
All staff are qualified Early Years Practitioners with expertise in child development for children aged 0 – 5 years. We have excellent links with the local Children’s Centre and can signpost you to any relevant support if needed. We can offer support through our Early Years Advisory Teacher, with your permission. Should your child’s needs be more specific their team will support your child, alongside the setting, to meet those particular needs.
We have two members of staff who are trained in the Early Language Development Programme and others with Makaton training. All staff are Paediatric First Aid trained. Where necessary staff will attend relevant training courses throughout the year for their continued professional develop and support of the children.
As a staff we have regular training and updates of SEND conditions, Medication use and Resources/Intervention available to children, this ensures all staff are able to manage children accordingly.
- How we provide additional support if your child / young person has social and communication needs
The child’s key-person will be on hand to support the child, using Makaton and visual aids to communicate where appropriate. The key-person will use smaller group activities to help and support the child’s social development and verbal communication will be simple. Actual objects will be used for children to make independent choices.
- How we provide additional support if your child / young person has physical, sensory and/or medical needs
Casterton is wheelchair accessible, therefore all on one level, supporting children with any physical or mobility needs. We also support any children with medical needs where specific training is needed, such as Anaphylaxis training, Epilepsy awareness and Gastrostomy button awareness.
Children’s health reviews will also give us insight into how and what we need to support children in our care.
- How we provide help to support your child / young person's emotional health and well being
Staff at Casterton Nursery value the importance of children having a high self-esteem in order to achieve positive well-being. Therefore we celebrate each child individually, providing an inclusive, caring and understanding environment where each child can express their views and ideas.
Staff role model positive behaviour and are consistent with their day to day care of all the children. We are flexible with our routines, providing a positive environment for children’s individual needs.
All activities are adapted to ensure the children are able to interact fully with the Nursery environment and visual strategies, such as our Visual Routine Chart, help them to understand what happens during the day. Each room has a quiet cosy space where children can retreat to if needed and their key-person will be on hand throughout the day.
- How we promote developing independence and preparation for adulthood
Children access the toilets independently when age appropriate, they also serve their own lunch and we offer a rolling snack so children can make decisions and choices throughout the day. The environment is set out for child initiated play, giving the children opportunities to choose their own learning during their time with us.
- How we ensure that all our staff are trained and supported to meet a wide range of children / young person's needs
Our SENCO is fully trained and attends termly Inclusion meetings held by the Local Authority. They also attend any relevant SEND training throughout the year, to keep themselves up to date with any new initiative that may arise.
All staff are qualified Early Years Practitioners with expertise in child development for children aged 0 – 5 years. We have two members of staff who are trained in the Early Language Development Programme and others with Makaton training. All staff are Paediatric First Aid trained. Where necessary staff will attend relevant training courses throughout the year for their continued professional develop and support of the children.
As a staff we have regular training and updates of SEND conditions, Medication use and Resources/Intervention available to children, this ensures all staff are able to manage children accordingly.
- How we prepare children / young person to join our Setting / School / College
We offer all children three taster sessions prior to formally starting the Nursery. During this time both you and your child will become familiar with the setting and have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Where necessary we will meet with other professionals to put in place any planning needed to support your child’s transition in to the setting.
- How we prepare children / young person to move on to a new Setting / School / College
Any information held on your child will be forwarded to your child’s new setting or school, we can also organise a meeting with your child’s new setting to discuss any relevant information. Many schools in the local area will arrange visits to the Nursery to observe the children in a more familiar environment before attending the Reception Class. During this time your child’s key-person and or the SENCO will discuss your child’s needs and development.
- How we deploy our resources to meet the needs of children / young people with SEND
We ensure that all children who have Special Education needs are met to the best of our ability with the funds that are available. We budget, with your input, to provide resources and equipment such as sensory and visual aids, however the budget is allocated on a needs basis.
- How we adapt the learning environment and ensure that our school facilities are safe and welcoming to children / young people with SEND
Our setting is set on the secure grounds of Casterton College Rutland, entry to the building is via an intercom and secure doors. The learning environment is changed regularly with regard to the children’s interests and learning that is happening that week or even daily, giving the children an inviting environment for them to explore their ideas and develop their skills.
- How we include children / young people with SEND in the life of our Setting / School / College including trips and off site visits
All children are individuals; therefore our planning for children is individual to their interests and differentiated to their learning ability. The environment is enhanced with resources and experiences weekly to take account of the children’s changing ideas and views.
All children are included in all parts of the Nursery curriculum and we aim for all children to be included in any activities outside of the setting. We will work with the parents to identify the strengths and needs of the child prior to the trip and, where necessary, provide the support to ensure the trip is a success for the child.
Risk assessments are carried out prior to each visit to ensure everyone’s health and safety will not be compromised. All visits will be thoroughly planned in order to cater for the needs of all children.
- Who can I contact for further information?
Mrs Jo Ward
Childcare Manager
01780 754780
childcare@castertoncollege.com
www.castertonchildcarecentre.co.uk
Local Authory Locall Offer
http://ris.rutland.gov.uk/kb5/rutland/directory/localoffer.page?localofferchannel=0
Mrs Lisa McMullen-Kennet
SENCO
01780 754780
childcare@castertoncollege.com
