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Assessment of Special Educational Needs

Our nursery has a variety of different methods to help us monitor all areas of a child's development. Through this process any concerns may be identified and an assessment of the child's needs will begin.

Any concerns that are noted by staff will then be discussed privately with the parent/carer. This discussion will activate the procedures for the Staged Approach to support the child's educational needs. The parents/carers will be fully involved at every stage.
 
The Staged Approach procedures

The Code of Practice for children with special educational needs involves five stages, which include:

  • Planning provision for the child
  • Monitoring the child's progress
  • Re-planning in the light of this progress.

Our nursery follows the 5 stages in the Code of Practice. These are:

  1. An Initial Concern Form is completed and discussed with the parents/carer. The child's name is then entered onto the Special Needs register. A review of the child's progress will take place approximately every 10 weeks.
  2. The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator takes the lead responsibility for gathering information and for co-ordinating the child's Special Educational Provision, by working with other members of staff to produce an Individual Education Plan.   
  3. Staff and the Co-ordinators gain support from specialists from outside the nursery and undertake appropriate in-service training.
  4. The Local Education Authority considers the need for a statutory assessment and if appropriate, makes a multi-disciplinary assessment.
  5. The LEA considers the need for a Statement of Special Educational Needs and if appropriate, makes a statement and arranges monitors and reviews provision.

Multi professional links

We see the value of working closely together with other professionals to meet children?s specific needs, and are committed to developing this further.

The nursery can have the support of an Early Years Special Needs Link Teacher who is in regular contact to offer advice and support to children with special educational needs.

Complaints

If any parents or members of staff have any complaints about our provision for children with special educational needs they should report it to the member of staff in charge or proprietor. Every effort will be made to resolve the complaint.

Staff training

Whenever the opportunity arises as many of our staff as possible attend different courses to broaden their knowledge on Special Educational Needs. We also have access to an Early Years Special Needs Link Teacher whom we can contact if we require any advice or support for staff and children.

Confidentiality

To meet the needs of all our children in our care it may be necessary at times to share information with parents and with staff in order to support the children's development. We may also need to seek help and advice from outside professionals. All information will be on a need to know basis and the parent's permission will be requested.