How does the early year's provision identify and assess children with special educational needs and disabilities?

How does the early year's provision identify and assess children with special educational needs and disabilities?

I use parent's information gathered at our first meeting, I then carry out my own initial assessment and use an online system to document, track and assess all children's learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage.  

I also complete a child's 2 year progress check to identify and provide evidence to show development delay and any early needs.

How will the curriculum be matched to meet children's developmental needs?

How will the curriculum be matched to meet children's developmental needs?

Children's interests, experiences and abilities are constantly observed so play based activities can be provided reflecting these current interests and inspire new learning that is tailored to each child’s needs and stage of development.

Children's learning journeys reflect their progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Next steps planning shows further activities that are planned to further support and challenge each child’s individual learning.

 

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the early years setting?

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the early years setting?

We work alongside all professionals and services that may be involved with your child, all of whom are welcome to visit our home at any time. As a childminder in County Durham I have worked alongside Speech and Language Therapy (SALT), Portage services, Health Visitors, Early Years Advisory Team, One and have access to: - Educational Psychologist and SEND.

We will seek your consent before contacting specialist services.

What training have the staff supporting children with SEND had, or are having?

What training have the staff supporting children with SEND had, or are having?

As a childminder, I continually access and refresh my knowledge with training and ensure my assistants are updated regularly with training. I have taken training in all of the following:

Single Assessment Framework
First Aid
Safeguarding
SENCO Related Courses

Two of us have Level 2 Understanding Children and Young Peoples Mental Health

Two of us have Level 2 Knowledge with Understanding Autism 

Other training will also be accessed and attended as the need arises. A record of staff training is kept in the training file.

How accessible is the early years setting environment? (indoors/outdoors)

How accessible is the early years setting environment? (indoors/outdoors)

Access to the front is via a drive with one step in the front and one step out to the back patio with a decked area and three steps to a lawn and gravel garden.

Within our home, I have a wide range of toys and resources and play and activities that are set up to support and engage children in play and learning.

 

How will the early years provision prepare and support my child(ren's) transition to their next educational establishment?

How will the early years provision prepare and support my child(ren's) transition to their next educational establishment?

We have very good relationships with Chapel Street and St Stephens nurseries and have developed a transition book using our empathy doll which is to share with the children before starting, talking about the routines of the nursery, talking about their feelings and what will happen when they arrive at nursery.

As a childminding setting, we focus on children's independence in dressing and self care such as washing hands and toileting. Children become very familiar with these nursery buildings through daily pickups and drop offs we do as part of our daily routine to support children to have a successful transition to nursery and school.