Furzehill Childcare Centre

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) code of practice

The nursery has regard to the statutory guidance set out in the Special Educational Needs and Disability code of practice (DfE 2015) to identify, assess and make provision for children’s special educational needs.

 

At Furzehill Childcare Centre we use the SEND Code of Practice (2015) definition of Special Educational Needs and Disability:

 

A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.

 

A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she:

• has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or

• has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions.

 

Statement of intent

We are committed to the inclusion of all children at our nursery. We ensure all children are cared for and educated to develop to their full potential alongside their peers through positive experiences We enable them to share opportunities and experiences and develop and learn from each other. We provide a positive and welcoming environment where children are supported according to their individual needs and we work hard to ensure no child is discriminated against or put at a disadvantage as a consequence of their needs. Each child’s needs are unique and we do not attempt to categorise children.

 

We are committed to working in partnership with parents in order to meet each child’s individual needs and develop to their full potential. We are committed to working with any child who has a special educational need and/or disability and making reasonable adjustments to enable every child to make full use of the nursery’s facilities. All children have a right to a broad and well-balanced early learning environment.

 

We undertake a Progress Check of all children at age two in accordance with the Code of Practice (2015) and statutory framework for EYFS.

 

We will also undertake an assessment at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage for any children that remain with us in the final term of the year in which they turn five, as per the statutory framework for EYFS

 

We will work closely with the child’s parents and any relevant professionals if we identify any areas where a child’s progress is less than expected to establish if any additional action is required. This may include:

 

• Liaising with any professional agencies

• Reading any reports that have been prepared

• Attending any review meetings with the local authority/professionals

• Observing each child’s development and assessing such observations regularly to monitor progress.

 

All new children will be given a full settling in period when joining the nursery according to their individual needs.

 

We will:

• Recognise each child’s individual needs and ensure all staff are aware of, and have regard for, the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2015)

• Ensure that all children are treated as individuals/equals and are supported to take part in every aspect of the nursery day according to their individual needs and abilities

• Include all children and their families in our provision

• Identify the specific needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and meet those needs through a range of strategies

• Ensure that children who learn at an accelerated pace e.g. ’most able’ are also supported

• Encourage children to value and respect others

• Provide well informed and suitably trained practitioners to help support parents and children with special educational difficulties and/or disabilities

• Develop and maintain a core team of staff who are experienced in the care of children with additional needs and identify a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENCO) who is experienced in the care and assessment of children with additional needs.  Staff will be provided with specific training relating to SEND and the SEND Code of Practice

• Monitor and review our practice and provision and, if necessary, make adjustments, and seek specialist equipment and services where required

• Challenge inappropriate attitudes and practices

• Promote positive images and role models during play experiences of those with additional needs wherever possible

• Celebrate diversity in all aspects of play and learning

• Work in partnership with parents and other agencies in order to meet individual children's needs, including the education, health and care authorities, and seek advice, support and training where required

• Share any statutory and other assessments made by the nursery with parents and support parents in seeking any help they or the child may need