LEVERSTOCK GREEN PLAYGROUP

1. How     does Leverstock Green Playgroup know if children need extra help and what      should I do if I think my child may have special educational needs?

At Leverstock Green   Playgroup you can speak to any of our staff if you have any concerns about   your child. However, Tracey Dignum is   our dedicated coordinator for special educational needs and disabilities. Vicky   Mayne has attended SENCO training in 2024  as cover for when Tracey is not in the   setting,

If your child has an   identified special need before joining our setting, Tracey will work with you   to ensure that everything is in place (e.g. special equipment, staff   training, classroom organisation etc.) before your child joins us.

Your child’s key person will   work with Tracey to continually monitor and review your child’s development   and progress in the setting through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EFYS)   framework.

We work very closely   with other professionals such as Health Visitors, Speech and Language Therapists,   Educational Psychologists and other healthcare professionals to ensure that   your child is given appropriate support and that we provide the very best   care and educational opportunities for your child.

1. How      will Leverstock Green Playgroup staff support my child?

Tracey Dignum  is our experienced  SENCO, and has a wide range of experience   helping children with different needs.

Your child’s key person   will develop a strong bond with your child, and we will work with you to   ensure your child is happy and settled at playgroup. 

Our SENCO will work to   ensure that you are closely involved at all stages and will also liaise with   a wide range of professionals. Information provided will be fed into a SEN   Support Plan to ensure that all staff are working to the same goals in   supporting your child.

1. How      will I know how my child is doing?

You will be given feedback on your   child’s progress. You are always   welcome to discuss your child’s progress informally at the setting or by   telephone or email. We will also review   progress with you via their learning journals and through talking with the key   person or SENCO. 

The regularity of formal meetings   between staff and parents will depend on your child’s level of need. If your family has been registered with Early   Support then Team Around the Family meetings will take place once a term and,   if necessary, more often. 

There are many formal ways of   communicating about your child’s progress but nothing is better than an   informal chat at the end of a session, so please always speak to us about any   concerns.

1. How      will the learning and development provision be matched to my child’s      needs? 

Once an initial   assessment has been carried out, your child may have a SEN Support Plan made   for them by the SENCO and key person, based on the child’s needs and other professional   advice. All staff will be aware of the   targets on your child’s SEN Support Plan and will ensure that they adhere to   them during the sessions. 

Through the EYFS we will   observe and assess your child and then plan their learning and development   provision around our observations. 

We will follow advice   from other professionals on how to support your child’s particular needs and   the SENCO will ensure that training is accessed for staff, where possible, to   support your child’s learning.

1. What      support will there be for my child’s overall wellbeing?

We will involve other   professionals (e.g. Health Visitors) to ensure that we support your child in   all areas of their development. We   will support you and your child with toilet training, and any issues regarding   eating, sleeping etc. The playgroup has changing facilities.

There is a strong   emphasis on providing a caring environment, and this is supported through   various strategies such as organising children into mixed family groups with older   children helping some of our younger children.

If your child has any   specific medical needs our staff will undergo any training (e.g. epi pen   training, replacing breathing tubes etc.)  and we will administer any medication   prescribed by a hospital paediatrician or GP.

We have a behaviour   management policy which outlines the procedures used at the playgroup,   however if specialist help is required to manage behaviour we can request the   support of the Inclusion Development Officer employed by the local authority.

All staff have a   positive approach to all children’s individual learning and development and   are sensitive to their needs. Unwanted behaviour and the testing of   boundaries is often part of growing up, and we will work closely with you to   put strategies in place to support and enhance your child’s positive   behaviours.

1. What      specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by      Leverstock Green Playgroup?

Tracey Dignum has been a SENCO since   2010 in the role and has worked with children with a wide range of needs. She attends termly SENCO cluster meetings   and specialised training (e.g. Autism, Speech and Language) to update her   knowledge. She has completed Level 3 SENCO award , complete Elklan ,   Wordaware and Wellcomm training.

We have very good links with our local   Children’s Centre and we work with a wide range of agencies such as Advisory Teachers, Autism Advisory Teachers,   Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Educational Psychologists, Speech   and Language Therapists, Health Visitors, GPs etc. 

We also have a good relationship with   all the local feeder schools, and this will make the process of moving to a   new setting much easier for your child.

1. What      training and/or experience do the staff, supporting children with SEND, have?

All staff have a lot of   experience with working with children with special needs.

We are all trained in   Makaton sign language and we have the database of Makaton signs and symbols   held at the playgroup so we can look up words to support individual children.

Our SENCO has been a   Senco since 2010 experience supporting children with a wide range of needs   and disabilities.

1. How      will my child be included in activities outside the setting?

Your child will benefit from all   activities outside the setting and full

risk assessments will be carried out.

We will discuss your child’s needs   with you to ensure they can be  included. You will not be required to accompany   children on any outside activities. However, if you are unhappy about your   child joining in a trip, visit or event without your presence you would be welcome   to act as a parent helper on the outing

9. How will I be   involved in discussions about and planning for my child's learning and   development? 

Your child's key person   will discuss the progress and development of your child and you can see their   learning journeys as often as you would like. The SENCO will be available to   speak with you and support the key person and yourself. If an external   professional is sought we will always obtain your permission first. The SENCO   will liaise with the professionals and a report/ discussion will be arranged   for you to be updated fully of your child's progress.

1. How      accessible is the building / environment? 

The playgroup   environment is very accessible and meets the current disability   regulations. 

There are no stairs in   our building and we have ramp access.

We have purpose built   toys and equipment at your child’s level.

Our garden is all on one   level and we have grassed and tarmac areas and a sensory garden.

There is an accessible   toilet in the main building.

1. How      will Leverstock Green Playgroup prepare and support my child with      transitions between home, settings and school?

Taster sessions will be organised at playgroup   for you and your child to attend prior to their start date.

If your child receives care from any   other setting (e.g. another nursery or a childminder) we will work with them   by sharing learning journals on a termly basis.

When it is time for your child to   leave us to start nursery school or school we will contact the new setting   and invite them to visit your child at playgroup. During this visit the teacher or key person   from the school will meet and play with your child and discuss their   development and progress.

1. How      will Leverstock Green Playgroup resources be used to support children’s      special educational needs?

All equipment and toys   are moveable and can be made accessible, they are age and stage appropriate.  We will seek to borrow equipment needed for   specific needs from our local toy library.

The playgroup has a high   staff/child ratio, so your child will receive plenty of adult support. We are a very inclusive setting and have a   range of resources/strategies in place to support children with a range of   needs e.g. we have two visual timetables (using photographs and symbols) that   may be used with speech and language delay or if English is a second   language.

We have a number of   sensory resources.

1. Who      can I contact for further information about the early years offer in      Leverstock Green Playgroup?

Tracey Dignum 01442 266270   leverstockgreenplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk