How does the Playpen know if a child needs extra help and what should I do if I think my child may have special educational needs?
At Playpen we treat every child as an individual. On starting at Playpen your child will be allocated a key person who will regularly observe, assess and monitor your child’s individual needs, progress and development. We then use this information to plan a fun and exciting curriculum that will support your child’s interests and next steps. Through the use of observations and planning for the next steps we are able to identify any concerns which we will share with you and with consent we will contact other professionals if required. The Playpen is proud of their ‘open door policy’ and encourages parents to discuss any concerns they may have regarding their child with their child’s key person or any other member of staff.
How will Early Years staff support my child?
At the Playpen your child’s key person will work with both you and your child. This partnership will ensure that we share knowledge concerning your child and their development. This relationship starts with the completion of the ‘All about me’ welcome pack. This then forms the start of your child’s learning journal and continues with regular meeting relating to their next steps. Through continual observations we can plan for your child’s next steps and if necessary access additional support from other professionals as appropriate.
How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s needs?
The Playpen use continuous observations alongside knowledge of the child’s interests to plan an engaging and exciting curriculum that is well suited to the child’s needs. The environment your child plays in, both indoors and outside, will be appropriate to their needs and additional support or resources will be supplied as necessary.
How will both you and I know how my child is doing and how will you help me to support my child’s learning?
A strong relationship between the setting and parents is important to the Playpen. You will have the opportunity to see your child’s learning journal and meet with their key person on a regular basis to discuss their progress and next steps. We are always available to discuss any concerns you have regarding your child’s learning.
What support will there be for my child’s overall wellbeing?
The Playpen offers your child the chance to visit prior to starting, in order for them to familiarise themselves with the setting and staff. Care routines will be discussed before your child starts at the Playpen. This will include provision for nappy changing, administration of medicines etc. If required addition training will be undertaken by members of staff.
Promoting positive behaviour is important to the setting. We utilise a range of techniques to ensure this is met. We will always discuss any behaviour concerns with you in order to maintain a consistent approach between home and the setting.
The safety of your child is paramount. Parents are asked to give a password for collection of their child which will be used if the person collecting is different to the usual adult. We ask that parents let us know daily if their child is to be collected by somebody different.
Regular risk assessments are made of the equipment and of our premises by all members of staff.
What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the Playpen?
We work with all professionals as required for each child and always encourage these persons to come and visit the relevant children in the setting.
If speech and language concerns are identified by the setting we will advise the parents to take their child to the speech and language drop in sessions at the children’s centres in the local area. We work alongside S and L therapists and the reports they provide to support the children in their language development.
What training are the staff supporting children with SEND had or having?
All staff continually receive and refresh their training. All staff are qualified within early years.
Staff regularly attend community cluster meetings to discuss current Early Years developments.
Staff have attended a variety of training courses including;
SEND code of practice, ENCO, EAL, Small voices (S and L), Positive behaviour and Autism.
All staff are Early Years first aid trained including the administration of epipens.
How will my child be included in activities outside Playpen pre-school?
At the Playpen we enjoy trips to ‘North Crescent School Eco-Centre’. These regular trips are risk assessed and fall in line with school procedure. The trip is accessible to all.
How accessible is Playpen pre-school?
Our premises are fully accessible to all including wheel chair users. Our facilities are designed to support all children and in the event of the need for specialist equipment we are experienced in adapting our setting to accommodate this.
The garden area is accessible to all.
Visual timetables are used to assist all children with the daily routine. Basic sign language (Sing Along) is used with all children throughout the session.
At the Playpen we try to be inclusive of all families varying needs. Key information/newsletters can be shared with parents/carers with EAL or other needs.
How will the Playpen prepare and support my child to join the pre-school or transfer to a new setting or school?
All children are invited to visit the Playpen before starting to familiarise themselves with the setting and the staff.
If your child is looked after by a registered childminder we can liaise with them and share your child’s next steps if necessary.
We attend transition meetings with the local schools to discuss key information with the new teachers. Meetings may also be arranged for the child to visit the new school or for the teacher to visit the child at the Playpen. In some cases we have created a ‘passport to school’ which is a visual aid to assist the child in a change of routine.
How are Playpen’s resources allocated and matched to children’s special educational needs?
We ensure the resources available to the children are suitable for their stage of development as identified from our continuous observation.
We can obtain specialist resources from the area SENCO office.
How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?
Your child’s key person and the settings SENCO will work closely with you and other professionals (if required) to determine the level of support your child needs. The key person will be able to identify any additional support through the observation procedure required by the EYFS.
How are parents involved at the Playpen and how can I be involved?
Strong relationships with parents are important to us at Playpen. We operate an open door policy and we endeavour to support our families to the best of our ability.
We regularly update the website and issue termly newsletters.
Throughout the school year we hold different events in which parents and carers are encouraged to be involved, this includes our very popular leaver’s afternoon tea event.
Who can I contact for further information?
More detailed information is contained in our policies. These are available on request.
You can enquire about registering your child at the Playpen via the website or by phoning Mrs. Diane Jackson on 07967 012365
Home – Essex Local Offer – http://www.essexlocaloffer.org.uk/