Local Offer for Children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)

What is SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)

SEND is a term for children and young people who have difficulties with learning,
behaviour, socialising or physical ability.

How accessible is the setting’s environment?

St Michael’s Church Pre-School and Nursery is situated in a large Victorian stone building across two floors, the upper floor is only accessible using stairs. We have two outdoor play areas, one small area which is concrete and a larger grassed area.

  • Access to the ground floor and garden is available to all. We work closely with parents to provide the best area for the child to access all resources and activities to meet their needs.
  • At present there is no access for wheelchairs to upstairs, sadly we are unable to make reasonable adjustments for this.
  • The setting has a disabled toilet.
  • For those children who are bilingual, the parents/carers are encouraged to share key words in their home language. St Michael’s Church Pre-School and Nursery have books in different languages representing the languages of children attending our setting. Visual timetables are also used to assist with daily routines.
  • The dining room is equipped with soundproofing boards to keep the noise levels to a minimum.
  • Toys and resources are at children’s level for easy access and we are always further developing our sensory toys and experiences.

How do we know if children need extra support and what should parents/carers do if they think their child may have a special educational need or disability?

We allocate a key person to each individual child, they are responsible for the child’s development whilst at our setting alongside working in partnership with you. The key person will observe each child regularly and use information gained to inform planning and next steps to support the child’s learning and development. As parents/carers you will be asked to share information about your child to allow us to
gain an overall view of their learning both at home and at the setting. Any assessments we carry out will be shared with parents/carers and you will be able to add your own comments. If a parent/carer has concerns about their child they should irst speak to the key person who will then co-ordinate with the Special Educational needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator to have a meeting so we can all work together to
identify the needs of the child.

How will staff support my child?

  • Key person will work with parents to share information about their child and observe the child to get to know their interest and how they learn. From information gained they will adapt activities to support your child in their learning.
  • Strategies such as “now and then” board, Makaton, visual aids and small group activities will be used (if more information required please contact the Manager).

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

Vanessa Rennolds is St Michael’s Church Pre-School and Nursery named SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator). Her role is to support the key person, child and parent/carer to make sure the child’s individual needs are met. If you need to discuss your child’s needs before they start you can contact us on 0117 923 6395 so that a discussion can take place with regards to the best support plan for your child.

  • St Michael’s Church Pre-School and Nursery follow the SEND code of practice 0-25 years (January 2015).
  • The key person will be supported by the SENDCo and together they will complete an individual play plan to provide additional support for the child alongside the parents.
  • The plan will be reviewed regularly and the key person supported by SENDCo will work collaboratively to make sure that the targets and strategies are put in place.
  • Occasionally a child may need additional support e.g. Language and Communication support, resources, staff training etc.; we would look at sourcing additional funding to put this in place where we can.
  • Where necessary, the SENDCo and key person will liaise with outside agencies such as Speech and Language, Play therapist, Physiotherapist, Early Years Team etc. to ensure the right support is accessed.

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

The key person will work with parents to share information about their child and observe the child to get to know their interests and how they learn.

From information gained they will adapt activities and the environment to support the child in their learning.

Strategies such as “now and then” board, Makaton, visual aids and small group activities will be used.

How will we know how my child is doing and how will you help me to support
my child’s learning?

The key person will have regular contact with parents/carers to update and
discuss progress.

  • Progress will be recorded on Famly (the software App that we use) in the means of written bservations and photographs. Parents/carers are encouraged to input their comments on Famly about what their child is doing at home.
  • Parents will be invited to attend meetings with their child’s key person, SENCOand with any outside agencies involved.
  • St Michael’s Church Pre-School and Nursery has an open-door policy and staff are always available for parents/carers to discuss their child’s progress and development.

What specialist services and expertise are available or accessed by the setting and how is a consistent approach provided?

As and when required we will work with various professionals; they are invited to attend the setting to observe and work with your child in this environment.
Parent’s consent is obtained and they are invited into the setting when necessary to meet with staff and other professionals.

  • We will work in partnership with parents and professionals, having TAC (Team Around the Child) meetings to discuss targets and outcomes.
  • Parents will receive a copy of every report written on their child.
  • Staff and the SENDCo will update their knowledge by attending various training events as and when required.

What training have the staff had who are supporting children with SEND?

The SENDCo will have attended the most recent SEND code of Practice training.

  • The SENDCo and staff have experience of children with SEND and attend various training courses run by South Gloucestershire Council.
  • Training is then fed back to all staff at staff meetings or as soon as required.
  • We will always reflect on our practice and attend training when a particular need is identified.

How will my child be included in activities outside the classroom including trips?

We go on local walks to the church, train station and shops. Risk assessments are completed, we carry out a outing’s checklist, a Nursery mobile phone is taken along with a first aid kit and any medicine as required.

  • Children will wear High Visual jackets for all off the premise’s outings/trips.

How will we prepare and support your child with transitions?

  • We have a settling in, key person and transition policy to support children transitioning to different areas in the setting.
  • The key person will work with the new key person to hand over all information to aid the transition.
  • Settling in visits will support the child and family to become familiar with the setting environment and to discuss the child’s routine and needs.
  • We work closely with local schools and teachers are invited to visit the setting and meet the children to aid in the transition of them leaving our setting and starting school.
  • Relevant documents are completed and given to schools to aid the transition to school.

How are St Michael’s resources allocated and matched to child’s special
educational needs?

  • The SENDCo will access what resources are available and what further resources may be needed.
  • Parents will be involved in meetings with staff, SENDCo and Manager to discuss specific resources as and when required.

How is the decision made about my child’s needs and how much support will my child receive?

The key person and SENDCo will work closely with the Nursery Manager and
parents to identify and support their child’s needs.

  • They will have regular meetings with parents and any outside agencies supporting their child.

How are parents involved at St Michael’s Church Pre-School and Nursery?
How can I be involved?

  • We have an Open-door policy
  • Newsletters
  • Parents notice board
  • Parents Meetings
  • Parent events
  • Facebook (closed group)
  • Parent Forum Committee
  • Resources to take home e.g. song sack, cookery bag