Longoak Pre-school

The SENCO will liaise with you and with your permission, contact outside agencies such as SALT (Speech and Language Therapy) and Portage( a service to help in the preschool and at home) if felt needed. If required, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or behaviour plan if needed, would be drawn up. Also the SENCO would get advice from the INCO (Individual Needs Coordinator) and your child would be referred with your permission. Support would be offered to suit your child's needs such as one to one or small group work. We can also contact a Family Support Worker.

Every child is different. We follow the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) and activities are planned after regular observations that are recorded by the keyperson. Each activity is adapted to suit the individual needs as identified by these observations.

We have an open door policy so any needs you wish to discuss with the keyperson or SENCO can be done at the beginning or end of any session. Your child's Learning Journey is available at all times for you to look at. If we had a concern about your child we would discuss this with you as soon as possible at a mutually convenient time. Termly Parents Evenings will also give you a further point of contact.

At Longoak, all staff ensure your child is safe and secure. We do a risk assessment every morning and all staff are vigilant during the session for any safety issues that may arise. The correct ratio of staff who are first aid trained is always adhered to and if additional training is needed for a specific medical condition then this would be put in place before your child attends. Safe Guarding training is also undertaken. Longoak Preschool staff can administer medicines on completion of the medication record book by yourself, giving us permission to do so. Regular staff meetings and team briefings help to update all staff members. All Longoak staff are DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked

A high ratio of staff are fully qualified to level three and above in childcare. The SENCO has attended SENCO Induction Training and also attends termly SENCO Support Groups getting reqular updates on any changes that have taken place and help with resources to cater for your child's needs. Some staff are also Makaton trained.

Longoak currently has five members of staff. The manager holds a degree (level five) in Early Childhood studies. Two members of staff hold a level three qualification in childcare and a third is working towards her level three in childcare. The relevant training is undertaken when a specific need arises. KOT (Keep on Talking) training has taken place and language group takes place once a day for all children that attend the setting.

>Before your child starts at the preschool, a registration form is completed which has a section on it giving your permission for your child to take part in short walks etc outside the preschool setting. These would be fully risk assessed and the correct ratio adhered to with parents/carers invited to attend. The preschool is committee managed and regular fundraising events take place throughout the year with all welcome. A summer trip is also organised by the Committee.

Longoak Preschool is in a community building with full access to all areas. Should specialist equipment be needed, permission would have to be sought from the committee of the centre to acquire this. There is a disabled toilet with nappy changing facilities.

Longoak Preschool has a "settling in" policy to ensure smooth transition into the preschool. At this time you would meet your child's keyperson and any needs for your child would be discussed. When the time comes for transition into school a transition meeting would be held and you would be invited to attend along with your child's keyperson and the school SENCO. If extra support is needed, an Inclusion Partnership Agreement (IPA) would be completed. A child leaving the preschool to another setting would be offered the opportunity for the keyperson to visit them at their new setting. Your child will get the opportunity to visit their school on several occasions including visiting with the preschool.

From the term following their third birthday all children receive up to 570 hours per funded year of free early years education. The preschool includes children who are in receipt of two year old funding, which is accessible to families on low incomes (if spaces are available). If your child requires one to one care, additional funding can be applied for.

Regular observations will be carried out on your child and if an additional need is identified, then the relevant agencies would be contacted with your permission. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) would be completed by the keyperson and signed by yourselve after any input you feel should be added. This would be reviewed half-termly. Next steps are completed termly to check that your child is progressing in all seven areas of the EYFS.

Longoak Preschool is a committee managed preschool made up of parents and is always seeking new members to join and contribute to the running of the preschool. Questionnaires are distributed to all parents and carers giving you the chance to have your say. Parent evenings are held termly and you are invited to attend to discuss your child's development and any concerns you may have. There is a parent rota on the notice board which you can put your name on and join your child for a session. Longoak has an open door policy and you are welcome to attend at any time with your child to see the day to day running of the preschool and to have fun!