St Richard’s Pre-School Local Offer
SEND
1. How does the Pre-School know if children need extra help & what should I do if I think my
child may have special educational needs?
On initial discussion we encourage parents to share information regarding their children’s
development before they start at pre-school. Throughout their time at pre-school we are
continually observing the children and we then cross- reference these to the EYFS (Early
Years Foundation Stage) which will highlight any concerns regarding the child’s
development, and we will then share these with the parent’s.
We encourage every parent to discuss any concerns with their child’s key worker as early as
possible; this may lead to a discussion with the supervisor/senco which could lead on to
advice from the Early Years Support Team.
2. How will Pre-School staff support my child?
The qualified and experienced staff plan a varied and broad curriculum for all the children
by providing a range of activities. The children are continually learning new skills &
benefitting from social interaction in a fun and stimulating environment.
All children will have a learning journey which is an ongoing document. You are welcome to
view and contribute to this at any time. From the learning journey observations we can
identify a child’s next steps. These are reviewed each term. A development tracker is then
completed 3 times a year which will highlight any gaps in your child’s development.
We have excellent communication amongst the staff and share all information regarding the
children on a daily basis.
For children with SEND all of the above applies with additional support for the child and
family from the 2 qualified SENCO’s within the setting.
The pre-school will be flexible to support each child’s individual needs eg; allowing them to
start later or leave earlier to make transition from home to pre-school smoother.
If the staff have any concerns regarding your child they would initially talk to you and with
your permission they would refer your child to the Early Years Support Team .Parents will
be involved throughout the process and are encouraged to speak to a member of staff
should they wish to at any time.
3. How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s needs?
The pre-school staff plan activities to meet the needs of all the children in the group,
therefore helping them work towards their next steps. The senco’s/staff will adapt
resources or activities to support individual children so that all opportunities are accessible
to everyone. If specific resources are required for example; a larger mouse for use with the
computer or adapted seating then the pre-school has access to these via the Early Years
Support Team.
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?
All children have a named keyworker who is responsible for supporting your child’s
developmental and social well being.
For children with SEND, a Setting Based Support Plan will be put in place with input from
outside agencies who will meet regularly with yourselves and the pre-school to discuss your
child’s progress. Children with SEND have their Setting Based Support Plans reviewed
regularly and are closely monitored by all members of staff.
Parents are welcome to speak to staff daily to share information about their child, should
you need a more private meeting this can be arranged at a suitable time.
Three times during the pre-school year parents are invited to stay at the beginning of the
session to view their child’s learning journey and leave feedback.
5. What support will there be for my child’s overall wellbeing?
Our pre-school staff follows strict guidelines as set by ESCC regarding the safeguarding of all
children and the supervisor is the named child protection officer. All staff are trained in
paediatric first aid and we can administer medication with permission from the
parents/carers.
Risk assessments are carried out and are evaluated regularly and adapted accordingly .If
necessary a risk assessment would be put in place to support an individual child.
We encourage positive social interaction to develop children’s self-esteem and social skills.
We may do this through small group or pair work. We give lots of praise and
encouragement and we use WOW cards which always boosts a child’s confidence.
6. What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the Pre-School?
The pre-school has links with a range of support networks and these include;
Early Years Support Team, Health Visitors, Early Years Communicators, SALT ( Speech &
Language Therapy Service), Family Outreach Service, Children’s Centre’s Traveller and
English as an Additional Language Service ( TEALS ),Fegans.
The pre-school also have two fully trained SENCO’s all staff are trained in Child Protection.
We have a fully trained Health & Safety Officer and a member of staff is trained in Food
Hygiene.
7. What training do the staff supporting children with SEND have?
The trained SENCO’s will regularly update their training. Pre-school staff attend any relevant
training course run by ESCC and if needed staff would attend specific training for working
with children with SEND.
8. How will my child be included in activities outside the pre-school including school trips?
We include all children regardless of their individual needs and adapt staff ratios
accordingly. On our annual summer outing all children will attend with their parent/carer.
Risk Assessments would be carried out for all activities inside and outside the pre-school
and adapted to cover the child’s individual needs.
In some cases funding may be available for 1-1 support.
9. How accessiable is the pre-school environment?
The Pre-School building is accessible by a slope to the main entrance and portable ramps to
the rear entrance. We have a small child’s step for use with the toilet and wash basin. We
also have a disabled toilet. We can adapt our provision to accommodate the individual
needs of a child. There is parking available outside the pre-school and a disabled bay in the
church car park.
10. How will you prepare and support my child to join the pre-school, transfer to a new
setting or school, or the next stage of education and life?
We aim to provide a smooth transition into pre-school and we do this with the close support
of the child’s key worker. This will enable the child to feel safe and secure whilst at preschool and feel confident to join in the activities on offer.
We feel communication is vital between parents /carer’s. When your child is due to move
onto primary school we will meet with the Reception teacher from the primary school your
child will be attending and in some cases The Early Years Support Team.You will be involved
in and be able to give you input too. We will support your child with any contact they have
with their new teacher’s whether it is a teacher visiting them at pre-school or a visit to their
new school.
We would share information with their new school teacher’s whether it is learning journeys
or Setting Based Support Plan’s.
We also make transition books for them which will include lots of photos from their new
school. They can look at them and share them with their friend’s.
11. How are the Pre-School resources allocated and matched to children’s special
educational needs?
Based on the child’s individual needs and level of support required the pre-school can apply
for Bursary Funding. This could allow for 1-1 support or specific resources.
12. How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?
Through continual observation & Assessments, discussions with parent/carers, staff and the
Early Years Support Team a decision will be made as to the type of support and amount of
support the child requires. This will be reviewed regularly.
13. How are parents/carers involved in the Pre-School? How can I be involved?
St Richard’s pre-school works closely with the parents/carers and believe communication
between us is important in a child’s development. There are many ways that this happens;
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Pre-School website; www.strichardspreschool.org.uk
Newsletters of events and dates
Emails to parents
Voluntary help from parent/carers is sometimes needed during outings or when we
have visitors to the pre-school
We are a Committee run pre-school and this is made up of parents/carers who take
the lead in lots of fundraising events.
Special sessions for celebrating occasions; Mummy’s coffee morning, bring Daddy to
pre-school etc.....
Please read quote from a previous parent of a child with SEND who attended St Richard’s
pre-school April 2012-July 2013;
“Our son who has severe learning difficulties and mobility problems was very well cared for
at St Richard’s Pre-School. He was included in every activity in a way that was accessible for
him. Seeing him take part in the Sports Day with the other children was amazing. After his
time at pre-school he had so much more confidence. The staff were amazing!”
14. Who can I contact for further information?
If you are interested in a place for your child please contact Lisa Johnston Supervisor on
07751-072765, or contact us via email info@strichardspreschool.org.uk or through our
website www.strichardspreschool.org.uk
You can read our Polices & Procedures on the pre-school website
www.strichardspreschool.org.uk these include our Equal Opportunities Policy.