Meon Springs Montessori – Kilmeston

A member of the team would show you around and discuss any requirements. We would ask you to have a couple of ‘settling in’ visits; this would involve working closely with the child’s keyworker and building the bonds needed for the child to attend the setting confidently, as well as being able to identify and discuss any concerns you may have. We would also be happy to offer home visits if it was felt that this would be beneficial. The key worker will observe the child and if any further concerns are raised they will be discussed with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo).

As we are a fairly small team, each member gets to know all of the children. We offer parent/key worker consultations on a termly basis and email updates of the child’s learning journeys regularly. If there are concerns at any time, from either the parent or key worker, there is always the opportunity to discuss at pick up/drop off times, in a private room. Alternatively, a more convenient time to discuss can be arranged.

If necessary, following the discussions, any relevant outside agencies, such as Services for Young Children Area Inclusion Co-ordinator service (Area Inco) will be contacted. We welcome any information from previous settings and tie this in with the learning journeys we produce. We continually monitor the progress and plan using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework; with an overall plan for the term and then a weekly individual plan for each child. 

The Key Worker and SENCo will have an overall plan in place to meet the needs of the children on a termly basis and this will be broken down weekly for each individual.

From daily interactions and regular observations, any further requirements will be put in place and behaviour plans or individual education plans will be completed and followed by the team. Therefore, if there are any requirements from outside agencies, for example speech therapists, we are able to ensure that we are working towards the same goals.

These plans will be reviewed on a weekly basis between key worker and SENCo and as often as needed with parents, ensuring access to support when needed.

The SENCo will lead with new approaches and best practice, but this will always be shared with the team.

Partnerships with parents are very important to our team and we always work closely to support the development of all our children.

We plan using the EYFS statutory framework and as previously mentioned, the Key workers will plan on a weekly basis for each individual child based on their needs or gaps in their learning; preparing any resources needed for different activities. An email is sent out with a summary of the plan for the next week so parents can be involved in discussions at home about what is happening. For example, we may look at ‘understanding’ as an overall topic and relevant resources will be provided throughout the setting. Activities would then be planned to suit the individual children at an appropriate and enjoyable level. Each key worker would consider the interests of each of their key children and consider how to use their interests to support their learning in other areas.

Here at Meon Springs we have an open door policy. A member of the team will always be there to talk when you arrive and pick up and we are available to discuss the needs of your child. We also arrange termly parent/key worker meetings to formally discuss a child's progress and how we can work together to support the child and the family. 

We make observations of the children, which form part of Your child’s individual learning journey. This will be sent to you via email on a termly basis, with parent meetings offered to follow these up. The learning journeys include a review of their term, detailing observations that have been made as well as an indication of the next steps relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

You will receive an email on a weekly basis with a basic overview of the week before and a plan for the week ahead. There will also be suggestions for how you can support your child’s learning at home as well as any ways of getting involved with what we will be doing at nursery.

Previously we have offered parenting courses and first aid for parents as well as coffee mornings and parties at Christmas, Easter etc. We will continue to do so as they have been very successful and we strive to keep parents informed and involved.

The wellbeing of every child is at the heart of what we do at Meon Springs. The views of the children and the parents are of great importance and we will always ask for feedback and make sure any comments are taken on board.

Our policies and procedures clearly layout how we care for all the children in our nursery with regards to; child protection, suitable people, staff qualifications, training and support, the Key person role, staff: child ratios, health and the administering of medicines, safety and suitability of premises, environment and equipment and information and records. Our designated Safeguarding officer has recently updated her safeguarding training and all members of staff are kept up to date.

Our designated SENCo has recently attended a behaviour management course and works closely with outside agencies (such as speech and language therapists) and parents to make sure the most supportive plans are in place. All staff attend courses regularly to keep up to date and continue to build on their professional development. Through observing the likes and dislikes of the children we are able to make necessary changes and discussions with children where opinions are expressed are acted on. Equal opportunities are a key part of our policy; we value diversity and promote equality.

We meet with the Area Inclusion Co coordinator and make contact with other professionals where necessary. The six members of the team come from a variety of backgrounds and have a range of experience. 

Areas of special educational needs are considered within the setting including; communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, mental and emotional health and sensory and or physical health. Should any specific training be needed for a child, to build on previous experience, staff would access this where possible.

We currently have a trained SENCo in our team. Another 2 members have undertaken the SENCo induction training. We have a range of experience and training and will continue to attend courses for training within early years. All staff members have attended Makaton Training to Support our practice.

Trips from Meon Springs have included a visit to the local park and the occasional hire of a mini bus. We ensure that our trips are accessible for all and will ask parents to attend and support where necessary as well as for their ideas and input on accessible locations.

Our nursery building is fully accessible, with a car park and ramp to the front door and a ramp out to the back garden; a concrete area and a large grassed area. The toilets are also accessible, with space and hand rails.

We have a large hall and all of our equipment and resources can be moved to enable access.

Adaptations could be made if necessary. The hall is equipped with a hearing loop and one member of the team has had Makaton training, any other training would be accessed where needed.

Transition meetings will be arranged with the child’s school to talk through individual needs.

Forms will be completed for transitions to identify key progress and needs, a reflection of their learning journey. The child will be supported before and after the visits and discussions will be had with them throughout the process.

 As a Montessori nursery we have numerous resources and sensorial equipment available to meet the needs of all children. As mentioned previously, careful planning and consideration with parents and carers will ensure that the needs of the child are met and suitable resources are available to them. The classroom and resources can be moved around and changed accordingly and staff are able to work flexibly and adapt to the children. We will always aim to use appropriate resources for the differing ages and needs of the group and plan activities that suit the children. Staff always get involved to support the children when outside teachers and coaches attend our nursery to enhance the sessions.

 As a Montessori nursery we have numerous resources and sensorial equipment available to meet the needs of all children. As mentioned previously, careful planning and consideration with parents and carers will ensure that the needs of the child are met and suitable resources are available to them. The classroom and resources can be moved around and changed accordingly and staff are able to work flexibly and adapt to the children. We will always aim to use appropriate resources for the differing ages and needs of the group and plan activities that suit the children. Staff always get involved to support the children when outside teachers and coaches attend our nursery to enhance the sessions.

We encourage parent’s involvement in the nursery in a number of ways. Firstly, weekly emails are sent with a plan for the following week and a brief overview of the previous week; we ask for parent’s involvement with bringing in things from home that the children may have enjoyed at the weekend or something that will suit the theme for the following week. We also have coffee mornings and parties as well as open mornings.

Forming great partnerships with parents is very important; their feedback and support means we can maintain our high standards and continually improve our provision.