Kempshott Under Fives Preschool

All of the staff at Kempshott have a good understanding of child development, and we are also able to use the guidance documents from the government to support our observations. With over 25 years of experience in working within the childcare sector, our staff team have a wide range of knowledge and experience to be able to draw upon.

We feel that it is important to communicate our concerns and to be able to listen to parents' concerns too, to ensure that we are all working in partnership for the best interests of the child.

We have access to the Hampshire SEN services, who are able to provide advice and guidance if we have a child who we may be concerned about. As well as this we also have a strong relationship with the SALT and Portage teams within our local areas.

We are also fortunate enough to have a staff member with qualifications and experience in Speech, Language and Communication Needs. With their expertise we are able to identify and support children in this area in the early stages, before consulting with a Speech and Language Therapist.

Our setting believes that the child's needs are paramount and that every child is unique. We have had experience of working with children with additional needs over the past few years, and we have been able to support these children and their families through varying levels of needs. We have helped to apply for EHCP plans when needed, as well as making referrals for varying services which will help to assess the needs of the child. The children and families that we have been able to help have all been very happy with the progress that the children have made during their time with us. We have also been able to aid with the smooth transition between settings, working as a team to ensure that the child is happy.

At our setting we follow the child-led approach, where we follow the interests of each unique child. This ensures that all children are included within our curriculum. All activities can be adapted to meet the needs of each individual child, whether it is adapted for age and ability, or whether it is adapted for the child's special educational needs. We operate a key worker system where each child's next steps are observed and planned for, allowing differentiation for each individual child.

We have an open-door policy and are happy to meet to chat with parents/guardians about each individual child and their needs whenever is convenient. If outside agencies are involved with the child we often have progress meetings with them, and invite parents/guardians to join us too.

The views of the parent/guardian are very important to us, and we use several different ways of ensuring that these are incorporated into planning for the child. One of the regular ways of doing this involves using an online communication method to ensure that parents can add comments as well as their own observations to ensure that we can incorporate these into our next steps. Communication is key and vital to the welfare of the child.

We have a policy on administering medicines within our setting, which includes the safe storage of medicines, the observing and checking of medicines between staff and a clear communication method between staff on timings, etc. Full training for staff will be given to administer specialist medicine.

Personal care is given within our bathroom area, with full care and respect for privacy and dignity maintained at all times. The children's safety and welfare is paramount, so a good relationship with staff members is key too.

We currently have a member of staff with experience in Speech, Language and Communication needs, as well as a Speech and Language TA Specialist qualification. We have a sister setting nearby who have access to a freelance specialist teacher in the area of Social Communication Needs also. Some of our staff members are Makaton trained and other are undergoing training too.

Hampshire SEN Services are very good at providing us with access to a range of health, therapy and social care services, upon referral. We currently have a strong working relationship with the Speech and Language team and Portage services, but we also have access to Educational Psychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapists and the PATCH team (Paediatric Assessment Care).

As well as this all staff are trained to Level 3 or above in Safeguarding. This is a mandatory requirement for our setting.

We currently have a member of staff who is trained as a Specialist TA in Speech, Language and Communication, as well as 10 years plus experience in this area. 

Staff also have Makaton training or are currently training in this. Staff are frequently updating their knowledge and training in varying areas of interests including behaviour management, speech and language and sensory needs.

Both our Manager and our Deputy Manager/SENCO are trained Level 2 SENCO's. 

In order for a child with additional needs to be able to access all activities within the preschool garden and on outings outside of the setting, a risk assessment will be carried out. This will enable protocols to be put into place to ensure that the needs of the child are met. This may involve using another member of staff to be placed into ratios, providing one-to-one support if necessary. It may involve the purchase of specialist equipment. All views of the parent will be taken into account throughout this planning process, and every effort would be made to ensure the inclusion and safety of the child.

We are fortunate enough to be able to offer single-storey provision, as well as disability and wheelchair access to our setting. We have a range of sensory equipment which can be used with any of the children within our setting for self-regulation, sensory and wellbeing purposes.

SEN funding can be applied for to help to provide funding for support and resources as needed.

Communication between the setting and home will be vital to ensure that all information and details are passed on, as well as giving the parent/guardian the reassurance needed for a secure transition and settling-in. 

Home visits can be put into place to aid transition, as well as the phased introduction and visits to the setting, as needed.

Our setting has a SEN budget allocated to it. However further funding can be secured to aid individual children to help us to support their needs. This can be applied to through Hampshire SEN Services. The funding would be used to support us in covering the needs of the child, whether it be through staffing or specific resources.

Our setting has a dedicated SENCO who is able to co-ordinate and balance the needs of the children with additional needs. Her role involves working alongside the other staff team members to highlight what the needs are, and what next steps will be taken. This will be highlighted in an Individual Plan for the child. 

With consultation with the staff team and parents, and liaison with the setting manager, the SENCO will make an informed decision about the type of provision needed, and the support required. Advice can also be sought from external agencies as well as the Hampshire SEN team.

Impact can be measured through using Individual Learning Plans, where targets are set and adjusted as necessary.

We strongly advocate the 'Parents Partnership' approach, as set out by OFSTED. Parents know their children and their needs better than anyone else, and so as a setting, we will endeavour to get to know the child and their families well. This is done through many ways, such as Stay and Play sessions where the parents are able to see our everyday reality in preschool.

When external feedback needs to be given from a professional, the parents are invited to receive feedback as best suits them, as well as receiving feedback from parents themselves.