1- How does the Early Years setting know if children need extra help and what should I do if I think my Child may have special educational needs or disabilities?

At Pebbles Pre-School your child’s Key Worker is responsible for the ongoing assessment of their individual learning journey. The Key Workers role is to develop a trusting, sensitive relationship with Children and parents to enable respectful sharing of information. 

The Key Worker and the settings SENCO (special educational needs coordinator) liaise on a weekly basis to discuss any children whom may require additional support. The SENCO will then plan additional support programs with the Key Worker which are tailored to the individual child. 

If outside agency support is required, then parents are consulted, permission is requested and the SENCO can start a referal procedure.

If you have any concerns about your child’s development you can speak with your child’s Key Worker and if further action is required a meeting will be arranged with the SENCO, Key Worker and Manager.

2 - How will Early Years setting staff support my child?    

At Pebbles Pre-School all of our children are entitled to high quality care, teaching and learning. 

On joining Pebbles Pre-School the Key Worker, parents and if needed SENCO will share information about the strengths and needs of the child. If additional support is required to enable thee child to progress across the EYFS, then parents/carers will be invited to attend a meeting at the setting. 

An individual Learning Journey will be created and shared with Parents/carers, this plan will detail what sort of provision is in place, what the expected outcome is, who is providing this and for how long. 

Observations, assessments, evaluations and listening all contribute to this plan, we will listen to your input as well as your child’s. The SENCO and your child’s Key Worker will work together to identify needs and plan next steps, the SENCO will also be available to access additional support through West Sussex Early Years and explain to you who may be involved in your child’s learning and development.

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

All key workers at Pebbles Pre-School are provided with key information and provided are aware of the needs of the individual Key children. This assists on the planning of future learning and development within the EYFS framework to ensure that all children are able to progress. 

Many of our staff have received additional training and have a wealth of knowledge and experience supporting children with Special Educational Needs. Training is always being revisited and new courses being booked regularly to keep the awareness and expertise up to date. 

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?

Your child’s Key Worker will be making regular observations and assessment of your child, these are all recorded in your child’s learning journey on Baby’s Days and Individual planning with progress updates.

5- What specialist services and expertise are available or accessed by the Early Years setting?

We encourage our staff at Pebbles to continually update their skills and knowledge and attend regular workshops and training courses.

6 - What training are staff, supporting children with SEND had, or having?

All of our staff at Pebbles Pre-School are qualified to a level 3 or working towards level 3.

Our SENCO has attended these courses:
Let’s get talking – WSCC
The role of INCO – WSCC
English as an Additional Language – WSCC
Paediatric First Aid – WSCC
Fun with Letters and Sounds – WSCC

7- What support will there be for my child’s overall well being?

The staff have inclusive, positive and welcoming approach to all. On entry to the setting all of our policies are readily available for parents to view.

Parents/Carers are all to complete all about me forms to help the key worker to get to know and meet the individual needs of the child.

We try and prepare children for the future by helping to develop their personal, social and emotional skills and give them a joy for learning. We see these skills as being fundamental building blocks for the children to be able to become independent learners in the EYFS and throughout their lifelong learning.

8-How will my Child be included in activities outside the early years setting, including outings?

We promote the involvement of all children in all aspects of the EYFS, including regular off-site trips and outdoor learning.

We have a Forest School Leader, who leads regular outdoor learning activities.

We have regular environment swap sessions with our sister setting at Happy Steps in Upper Beeding, as well as sharing trips with our Happy Steps friends.

We have an outings policy which all staff will follow and adhere to.

9 - How accessible is the early years setting environment? (Indoors and Outdoors)

We respect and value diversity in our setting and do our very best to meet the needs of all our children and their families.

Our building and gardens are all on one level with access to a disables toilet with hand rails and changing facilities. We do have a ramp available for the one step up into the entrance of the setting.

We also have a car park with a paved path leading to the entrance.

The outside area is accessed by a door at the side with a very small step with level patio outside. The grassed area is slightly sloped but still accessible.

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

At Pebbles Pre School we invest our time into the transition process. We ask the parent/carers to complete an all about me form which enables us to know what the child likes and doesn’t like.

The child will attend as many settling in sessions as the parent and setting feel comfortable with depending on how the child copes with the change. In these settling in sessions the child will bond and get to know their Key worker.

In July prior to the new academic year, teachers from the surrounding schools will visit the setting to introduce themselves and get to know the children. The SENCO and key worker will also have the opportunity to feed any relevant information to them.

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

Inclusion funding, EYPP additional funding and 2 year old funding can be applied for in order to support the child being included in the setting. Dedicated budgets will be used to provide additional resources/staff or to adapt existing resources.

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

These decisions are monitored through observation, assessment and planning and then made by the key person and SENCO and discussed with the parent/carers.

Observations and assessments linked to the EYFS will be used to identify what support the individual child requires. If necessary, extra support will be put into place.

The SENCO will advise on the process of applying for extra support.

The inclusion funding process will identify the level of need based on evidence submitted to the panel from the setting and other professionals working with the child/family.
Reports from health care professionals or others working with the child and family will be used to plan support within the setting.

The SENCO and WSCC Early Years visiting team will support the decision making process linked to the planned targets on IEP’s/Play Plans.

13 - How are parents involves in the early years setting/how can I be involved?

At Pebbles Pre School we encourage parents/carers to be involved with their child’s learning.

We operate an open door policy to encourage communication between Key worker and parent/carers.
We send out regular newsletters to keep parent/carers informed of any exciting changes and notices.
We also hold regular fund raising events, Christmas parties, end of year trip and parties.

14 - Who can I contact for further information?

In the first instance parents/carers are encouraged to speak with their child’s key worker.

Further information and support can be obtained from the settings SENCO and Manager or Owner.

More information can be found on our website.

Visits to the setting are warmly welcomed and can be arranged by contacting us.