Family Information and Services Hub
Local Offer

Waltham Chase Preschool

Offering services to:
  • Children 0-5
Carescheme type:
  • Pre-School Playgroup

We provide an inclusive child centered environment which supports children and families

Who to contact

Contact Name
Kelly Glover
Contact Position
Manager
Telephone
07913640795 07913640795
E-mail
hello@walthamchasepreschool.com

Where to go

Address
Waltham Chase Pre School, Waltham Chase Village Hall
Winchester Road
Waltham Chase
Southampton
Hampshire
Postcode

SO32 2LX

View SO32 2LX on a map

Availability

Age Ranges
0 to 5 years

Childcare Information

Funded Places

Offers 3 & 4 year old funded places
Yes
Offers 2 year old funded places
Yes

Opening Times & Facilities

Opening Times
Opening Times
DayOpening TimeClosing Time
Monday 08:30 15:00
Tuesday 08:30 15:00
Wednesday 08:30 15:00
Thursday 08:30 15:00
Friday 08:30 15:00

Local Offer

Contact Name
Stephanie Newman
Contact Telephone
07913 640 795
Contact Email
walthamchasepreschool@yahoo.co.uk
How does the setting/school/college know if children/young people need extra help and what should I do if I think my child/young person may have special educational needs?

At Waltham Chase Pre-School parents and carers are welcome to visit prior to registration. This is an ideal opportunity to ask questions and raise any concerns you may have. Settling-in sessions are offered and encouraged before your child’s official start date. Each child will be allocated a keyperson who will lead on the care, support and observation of your child. This will allow us to identify where your child may need extra help and support. The keyperson is responsible for your child’s learning journey which includes progress and development steps, this will be shared with parents/ carers regularly. If you have any concerns at any time about your child regarding special educational needs or disabilities the keyperson is available to discuss this. For children under three a two year old progress check will be completed by their keyperson and parents / carers together and any concerns discussed. Progress and development of all children attending the Pre-school is monitored in line with the Early Years Foundation stage.

How will early years setting/school/college staff support my child/young person?

We have a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) who will liaise with you, the keyperson and any outside agencies involved with the child /family. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) may be created to support your child’s development. The SENCo will support the keyperson to implement the IEP. To ensure your child has the best support we work with outside agencies and professionals. The effectiveness of our provision is monitored by tracking each child’s progress termly in line with the EYFS. We welcome feedback from parents / carers at all times and regularly ask parents / carers and children to complete questionnaires.

How will the curriculum be matched to my child's/young person's needs?

We recognise that every child is unique and has individual needs. Using the EYFS curriculum as a guide we plan activities and resources to suit each individual child’s needs and interests. Your child’s keyperson will observe and record the progress your child is making. These observations are used as a guide to plan each child’s individual next steps. Children with identified special educational needs will have an IEP or behaviour plan depending on their individual needs. These will outline targets and strategies to support your child. Plans will be shared with parents / carers and reviewed regularly.

How will both you and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will you help me to support my child's/young person's learning?

Using the EYFS we are able to track each child’s progress and development stage. Each term this information is used to set new individual targets to maintain progress. We recognise that parents/carers are the first educators of their children. We are committed to regular two way communication between staff and parents to ensure that parents are able to play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning in pre-school. Contact with families is maintained by:

  • Termly parent / carer and keyperson conversations either at parents’ evenings or by arrangement during sessions.
  • Regular newsletters.
  • Facebook and website updates.
  • Communication books (as required) between Pre-school / home / carers.

Parents/carers are welcome to contribute to the children’s learning by sharing their own skills, knowledge and interests enriching the activities of the Pre-school.

What support will there be for my child's/young person's overall well being?

Prior to your child starting Pre-school, we will discuss and agree with you a health care plan as required for your child. This ensures we are fully informed of your child’s medical needs and gives your consent for us to administer any required medicines which would be stored securely. Time and dose of administered medicines is recorded and witnessed. Parents/carers are required to sign the record on collection of the child. All staff are first aid trained and any additional medical training, e.g. epi-pen administration would be completed as required. All staff and volunteers are DBS checked and we follow safe recruiting processes to safeguard our children. All committee members are registered with Ofsted and also DBS checked to ensure they are suitable to be involved in the management of the Pre-school. Students on work placement or volunteers are not left alone with children at any time. All staff are expected to know policies and procedures, particularly those relating to the safeguarding and wellbeing of the children. Before each session all areas are risk-assessed and checked for hazards. Children are taught and encouraged to follow Pre-school rules. Our SENCo will put in place a behaviour plan where additional support is required to assist a child’s behaviour both in Pre-school and at home If necessary, and with parents / carers consent we can request support from Portage Plus, an agency supporting children and families with behaviour difficulties. Children are encouraged to choose activities independently. They are taught to speak and listen to each other in small daily language groups.

What specialist services and expertise are avaliable at or accessed by the setting/school/college?

All staff hold a recognised Early Years qualification and we support those who don’t to gain one. Currently the Pre-school works with outside agencies relevant to support each individual child/family as required.

What training have the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had? Are any being trained currently?

The current SENCo is working towards achieving the SENCo qualification in Early Years and has already completed the SENCo induction training. All practitioners in the Pre-school complete the relevant training to meet the additional needs for the children in our care. We will continue to acquire additional training to help and support your child as required.

How will my child/young person be included in activities outside this classroom including school trips?

Prior to trips and outings being undertaken, staff will carry out risk assessments to ensure safety and suitability. This allows us to put in place any additional measures to ensure that all children are able to take part in outside activities and trips. Outside activities are accessible to all children. Each trip is individually assessed and appropriate adult / children ratios are applied. We regularly use a boardwalk, linking the Pre-school to St John the Baptist Primary school. The boardwalk has wheelchair access. Visual timetables are used to prepare children who find coping with change difficult. We have set policies for risk assessments and outings and ensure that parent / carers permissions are in place.

How accessible is the setting/school/college enviroment?

The Pre-school is in a village hall with ample parking. The hall is open planned and all on one level. We have use of accessible toilet facilities. Our outside garden space is fully enclosed and is directly accessible from the hall; although this access is not currently suitable for wheelchair users alternative access can be organised. The Pre-school is set-out every session allowing a very flexible layout that can be adapted to suit individual needs.  Areas of the room are accessible for wheelchairs, however there are various small steps which may limit access to areas of the building.

How will the setting/school/college prepare and support my child/young person to join the setting/school/college or the next stage of education and life?

New children are invited to visit Pre-school with a parent / carer before starting. Parents / carers will have the opportunity to liaise with the keyperson/SENCo/Supervisor to agree a settling-in plan for your child. A home visit can also be arranged which can be helpful for the keyperson to see the child in their own environment. Information will be gathered during induction of your child identifying their likes / dislikes and interests. We offer flexibility on how many hours children take when they start to suit individual needs and settling in requirements. The number of hours can be increased as the child settles in and becomes confident within their new environment.

When your child is ready to make the transition to School, we arrange visits to the local schools to familiarise children with the new surroundings and to meet the reception teachers. We work closely with local Schools and ensure that reception teachers also have an opportunity to visit the Pre-school and meet the children. Information about your child’s development and progress will be shared with the new School. Transition meetings are arranged as necessary, for children requiring extra support a Transition Partnership Agreement (TPA) will be implemented. Parents/carers, the SENCo from both Schools, the keyperson, Reception teacher and all other professionals involved with your child are invited to attend transition meetings. To aid familiarisation with new Schools and environments we use photographs of Schools and Teachers and have different uniforms in our dressing up area.

How are the setting's/school's/college's resources allocated and matched to children's/young people's special educational needs?

The Pre-school can apply for additional funding to support children with special educational needs. Any additional funding will be allocated to best support the child, this may include resources, specialist equipment or additional adult support.

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child/young person will receive?

The keyperson will observe your child’s development and progress. Any concerns will be discussed with parents / carers and the SENCo to agree the best way to support your child. This may include an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a behaviour plan. Plans usually contain two or three targets and strategies to support your child’s development and progress. The keyperson / SENCo will monitor the plan and review it with parents / carers at appropriate intervals. Where the child may benefit from external agencies being involved, this will be discussed and agreed as part of this process.

How are parents involved in the setting/school/college? How can I be involved?

Waltham Chase Pre-school is committee led. New parents are always welcome and are encouraged to join the committee to become involved with the Pre-school. We hold regular meetings, open days, fundraising events and parent evenings. Parents / carers are encouraged to share their skills and interests with the children.

Offering services to:
  • Children 0-5
Carescheme type:
  • Pre-School Playgroup

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Last Updated: 21 February 2024

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