Local Offer Shoreham
Parents and children are encouraged to attend settling-in sessions at the nursery before the child attends a full session on their own. These are unlimited. Their timing and number are tailor made for each individual child. During these, parents are asked to complete a “Child Data Form”, which asks for specific information about their child, as well as a “Celebrating Me” document. This information is completed in conjunction with the child’s future key person in order that specifics can be clarified. Staff work closely with parents/carers who have children with special educational needs to create and maintain a positive partnership.
From the outset, a child’s key person will observe, assess and plan activities based around each child’s individual needs. From these observations, the practitioner will be able to determine whether a child is learning and developing at an expected rate for their age, or whether they need additional support in any area. In all cases, feedback is sought from and given to parents. If either the parent or the child’s key worker feels that a child may have special education needs, further observations will be made by the key person and the nursery SENCo/INCo. Where relevant, advice and guidance will be sought from the Local Authority.
Each child’s key person will oversee and plan the educational programme, with support from the Nursery SENCo/INCo; Nursery Manager and Early Years Teacher as well as feedback from other practitioners who work directly within the group. The key person will help to ensure that each child’s care and learning is tailored to meet individual needs and will monitor their progress using the online learning journal with parental input. They will make suggestions on how parents can support their child’s development at home and access home learning bags.
Based on our knowledge and evaluations made from observations, each child’s key person will plan for a child’s next steps based on the next stage of their development. This includes adaptations to resources, location of where activities will take place, time of day and support required. This approach will help all children, as activities will be tailored to their needs. One Page Profiles and Individual Plans will be put in place where needed, reviewed termly alongside input from parents and carers.
Our effectiveness in meeting children’s needs is evaluated through observations and tracking individual children’s development on a termly overview that informs us on the progress children are making towards the Early Learning Goals. We analyse the data and plan for further support where needed in any area, making adjustments to planned activities and the environment and resources to support the child, in conjunction with parents and outside agencies.
Parents are invited to a termly parents evening to discuss the progress your child is making. Parents have access to the online learning journal which they can see daily updates and add information of their own. This lists nappy changes, food eaten and sleep times along with photos of the day and termly summaries of their development and next steps. At the end of the session staff will give daily feedback. We have home learning bags parents and children can borrow from us to support in many areas.
For parents with children aged two years, a progress check will be carried out by a child’s key person. Parents are involved in the assessment process, so that their views and experiences can be reflected in the progress check through a questionnaire. Parents and carers are then invited to a meeting so the key person can share with you their own observations. Together, you can then plan ideas to support your child’s future development. Parents will receive a written summary of how their child is progressing in the three ‘prime’ areas of learning. The Nursery will may involve other professionals in the meeting and seek feedback support from others that may be working with your child such as health professionals and other organisations.
From the outset, practitioners ascertain individual children’s needs from information shared with them by parents. Children who have medical conditions have a Health Care Plan detailing their condition, resources needed to support them, daily care requirements, and specifics of care routines that support their wellbeing. Children that require medication can attend the nursery and practitioners will administer the medication once the parents have completed necessary paperwork. If the medication requires technical and/or medical knowledge, Young Sussex will seek to provide training to nominated practitioners by a qualified health professional in the administration of the drug or medicines as stipulated by the child’s general practitioner or consultant.
The SENCo/Inco and Early Years Teacher are responsible for behaviour management and SEND and will work closely with parents and outside agencies. Children with behavioural needs will have individual plans agreed by practitioners, parents and other professionals. When necessary, Young Sussex will arrange for a child to receive 1 to 1 care for an agreed amount of time, if funding is available from the local authority. If a child’s behaviour becomes severe and poses a risk to the safety and wellbeing of other children and staff, Young Sussex will give a period of notice and parents will be informed verbally and in writing that their child’s place has been terminated.
The Nursery premises are checked daily to ensure it is safe for the children and staff to attend. Regular risk assessments of areas and equipment are carried out, and accidents analysed to ensure no re-occurring incidences are arising.
The children communicate their views through group & personalised activities which are recorded through observations. We practice mindfulness and yoga to holistically support the children in their personal, social and emotional development. Language and communication development is so important and at the forefront of our daily practice.
Young Sussex employs an Early Years Teacher. They work with all practitioners and groups of children to ensure they receive high quality care and support in their learning.
The Nursery Manager attends regular EYFS meetings for local nursery managers held by the West Sussex County Council Early Years Team, who signpost them to forthcoming childcare initiatives and provide support to them and their teams in many areas. Network meetings are also termly for SEND updates and training for the SENCo/INCo to attend. We can also access online guidance, documentation, tools and formats to support and extend our existing knowledge and practice
The nursery works alongside the West Sussex Early Years Advisors who every term with the Manager and SENCo reviews the children attending the nursery to look at any further support or guidance that may be required.
On agreement with the parents, we can request Targeted Setting Support who observe individual children in the setting to suggest ways to support children’s individual needs and plan next steps with practitioners and parents.
A Key Person with a child who has a severe hearing impairment has attended hearing impairment training which covers basic sign language, hearing aid, cochlear implant and radio aid management. This training was delivered by the West Sussex Sensory Support Team.
Explore the adults role in promoting speech, language and communication in all children.
Encourages partnership working with families and identifies strategies for all children to value and respect different languages and cultures and to reach their potential
Explores attitudes to inclusion and how practitioners can develop inclusive practice. The key issues of including and working with vulnerable groups of children and their families will be considered
Investigates how sensory play is linked to all seven areas of learning and development and examines sensory play in relation to brain development, physical development and how children learn
This course is designed to support practitioners in developing language rich provision and activities. Attendees will use everyday resources and learn games and songs which will help them to support the development of essential skills
Explores the quality of early attachment relationships and how they have long-term impact on both personal relationships and openness to learning
Outings and visits are planned to complement and enhance learning opportunities and extend play opportunities for the children. They are carefully planned in advance with an outings plan being completed beforehand and with prior consent from all parents. A senior member of staff will always carry out a risk assessment identifying any potential hazards on the journey or at the location prior to the outing.
The building has limited wheelchair access to the play spaces on the ground floor. At present we do not have disabled changing and toilet facilities. Many of the resources in the nursery as a whole are stored in low level containers, with pictorial labels on the boxes accompanied by Makaton signs. Any equipment can be locked away, whilst the nursery is not in use.
Children will be given settling in visits to the nursery and we will ask parents/carers to fill in an information form asking about their child’s likes and dislikes. If your child enjoys playing with certain toys we will ensure that these resources are set up during their visits. We also have a ‘Welcome Booklet’ which can be taken home with photos of the nursery and staff. If a child attends more than one setting then the key worker will fill in a form about the child’s interests and development at nursery and pass this information on to the other key worker, we would then ask for the same information from the other setting, ensuring a clear development plan.
When your child is ready for school we will invite their new teacher to our nursery where they can meet the child’s key worker and discuss your child’s development and transition to school. A transfer to school document will be completed for the parents and entry school during the final term that a child is with us.
We carefully assess, monitor and review each individual’s needs. Resources are then allocated so that children have full access to the curriculum. The SENCo/INCo will work closely with the family and outside agencies to ensure your child is receiving all the additional support required with the input from other services.
Funding from the local authority can be requested depending on the individual and they will assess what extra support, including specialist equipment, can be obtained
We ask parents/carers to fill in our questionnaires and all suggestions are considered. We email our ‘Newsletter’ to all parents informing them of upcoming events. We have termly focus weeks where we ask parents to feedback information. We plan several activities which invite parents into the setting with their child. You may have a hobby or job which can be shared with the children as an activity.
Young Sussex Shoreham is situated in a picturesque setting on the edge of Buckingham Park. For information on how to get there; or to speak to your child’s keyperson, the nursery manager, or our SENCo/INCo, Rosie Briggs, please go to our Contact Us page.