Little Wisp Hilltops

Here at Little Wisp we are a very inclusive setting who have provided for both English SEN and EAL children. As a group we make sure All families are made to feel welcome and valued at all times. Making sure we adapt to each individual child's needs accordingly. Within the setting if we feel a family may be in need of some extra support we would use the effective strategies and follow our procedures in making sure we do this in the best way possible.

When a child starts here with us at Little Wisp  they are immediately provided with an allocated key person who produces an all about me at the child's initial pre-start visit. Once the child is settled they are then observed and depending on their age either a two year check or baseline assessment is completed. This gives us a clear overview of how the child is developing in either the three prime areas or the seven areas of the EYFS. When this is completed this gives us clear knowledge of whether or not a child will be needing some additional help during their time here with us. 

We make use of an individual 'plod' for the child to help them progress with their next steps in their early learning and each document including the assessment is shared with the child's family. This allows for them to have their own input in the child's development and gives them an opportunity to agree on their child's next steps. Advice can be given from the Key person on how they could possibly help their child at home too. 

In order to make sure that every child is supported in the best possible way we can here in the setting. The settings SENCO, Manager and the child's key person all work closely together to make sure the education and learning provided is tailored to best suit your child's needs effectively. Of course this would be discussed with you at the pre-start visit and your input is hugely welcomed. The SENCO carefully uses her knowledge to help support the children by carrying out sessions with the children that form part of the child's next steps and IEP (Individual Education Plan). 

Outside agencies such as the ISSO team, portage and Thomas Outreach are all included in our practice and we make use of these agencies as and when required. The setting works highly close to Thomas Outreach in particular when supporting children in our care.

Children with SEN are regularly assessed in order for us to make sure they are making effective progress and of course families are again part of this process.

Little Wisp  Preschool highly recognises that each child is a unique individual in our care. Therefore careful planning and assessment is needed to make sure we are providing the correct high quality care that is effective for the child and that these can be met accordingly. Within our setting we provide a full range of activities that cater to all children's individual needs then adapt where necessary. 

As previously stated an IEP is produced for the child by; The SENCO, Key Person and agreed with the preschool manager and family making sure that the targets set are achievable and manageable in a timely order. This is reviewed regularly to make sure significant progress is being made by the child. This is also monitored through observations and assessments by the preschool manager and any areas of need are discussed accordingly.

We make sure that parents are made aware that all staff including the preschool manager are available to talk to upon request. If for any reason we cannot provide this opportunity they can be reached by telephone, email, or by booked appointment if necessary.

This way we can give you and your child the best support we can here in the setting. We produce regular assessments that parents are encouraged to comment on, these are then shared with families too. Children's next steps are shared on their assessments so parents can help support these in the child's home environment too. Although a child's key person or the manager is available to talk on almost any occasion we encourage parents to attend our parent open days or family fun days too.

Here at Little Wisp  we take well-being alongside safeguarding very seriously as part of our everyday practice during a child's session. All children are welcomed to share their feelings, talk about their emotions and express themselves as individuals. We of course do believe that children learn better when being supported and thrive in a safe and secure environment, this is why we believe we are dedicated practitioners.

Our SENCO / Manager attends regular training provided by Hampshire around SEN as well as Safeguarding and regular meetings and provider briefings too, this is then shared accordingly in staff meetings or staff supervision. If we feel a child is demonstrating behavioural needs these are addressed with the child's family and appropriate behaviour plans are put in place and agreed as well as a risk assessment where necessary. Children can also reflect on their behaviour in our settings friendship corner too, when needed.

Within the setting a fully trained SENCO is employed within the preschool who regularly attends training courses and support groups to keep updated on the SEN code of practice alongside the manager too.  As previously stated this is then passed onto all practitioners to keep everyone well informed and up to date, this is usually done at team meetings or through supervision.

The SENCO, child's Key person and practitioners deliver speech and language groups, bucket times or small group sessions to support the child here in the setting. The SENCO and Manager also work closely with outside agencies such as Thomas Outreach Workers, Portage, Occupational Therapists and ISSO's, so that we can continue to support the child with strategies that have been put into place within in the child’s home environment.

Little Wisp  Preschool currently has 4 preschool practitioners who have a level 3 childcare qualification .The owner of the setting has achieved their level 5 in childcare. We are all dedicated in our roles and thrive to watch children learn and grow. 

Each staff member is fully first aid trained along with full safeguarding training completed too. The DSL has undertaken DSL safeguarding training and all practitioners including the manager are encouraged to regularly participate in training for their own CPD, whether this be online. offsite or in house. We make close working relationships with our parents both past and present and value their feedback through comments, compliments and parent questionnaires.

The preschool manager / Owner oversees the risk assessments produced for the setting and all staff are encouraged to input their knowledge too. This gives them an insight as to what health and safety is and why risk assessments are so important in everyday practice. 

Any preschool trips that would take place would be risk assessed beforehand and parent input is highly encouraged to make sure the area is safe and suitable for their child. Parents of those with SEN would possibly be invited to do a pre-visit assessment to assess the venue beforehand. 

Daily risk assessments are also carried out before the children enter the building too, these are regularly reviewed accordingly and adaptations are made where necessary.

Little Wisp preschool is a medium large setting in one hall and provides some wheelchair access to its areas.

We have a small outdoor area with double doors that open wide, that allows the children the opportunity to explore and engage in a range of activities that promote physical development. We have toilets and changing facilities within the setting steps up to basins and hand washing stations available if required within the setting. 

We cater for families whose first language is not English and have a local (EMTAS) who can provide us with various materials in other languages should we need them.

We use visual aids to communicate with children who are EAL to support their understanding when needed and highly recognise that a child’s home language is just as important. Therefore we encourage our families to continue to use this while helping their child to learn English too. Visual timetables are used to support communication alongside Makaton provided by our SENCO. Photographs and music are used around the setting to help children when tidying. making choices or following our routines.

Here at Little Wisp  we feel that robust transitioning is so important in a child's early years and this helps them to self regulate and prepare for next steps. We recommend that families visit the setting before signing up, this way they can familiarise themselves with the environment we have on offer. We work closely with our families to make sure the transition is just as smooth for them as it is their child. Most importantly we offer a settling in session where the paperwork is completed then the child can stay for the rest of the session without their parents. A start date is then agreed accordingly. Of course if the child did not settle straight away we work the best we can to help the child to settle and build that trust with our practitioners. 

We work closely with the local schools who support us when transitioning our cohort of children, the preschool manager attends meetings for transitions and makes sure that any TPA's are followed through accordingly, alongside the families. Children are encouraged to learn about transitioning to school and school readiness is embedded into planning effectively. The SENCO and Manager share relevant information around a child's individual needs and what support may be needed for that child when transitioning. Social stories have also been made around transitions and worked well. 

The reception class teachers now come out to visit the children when needed to help support with transitions too.

Within Little Wisp  we provide relevant resources for children with SEN wherever possible. If extra SEN funding is allocated to your child we take this opportunity to discuss with you how best to use these funds.

This could be used for either additional adult support for your child for 1-1 care and learning to provide them with equal opportunities, or, resources to enhance their learning and development. Your input is highly valued in these circumstances as it is for your child’s benefit that the funds have been provided.

Here at Little Wisp when deciding what support is put into place for children with SEN we strongly feel it is important to discuss this with parents, Key Person, SENCO and the manager through a meeting.

These decisions are based on the child's individual IEP’s alongside assessments and observations that have been made. By regularly reviewing the observations with the parents we can make a clear, fair agreement of whether an individual child is reaching suggested targets and making robust progress. The next steps in your child’s development would be agreed during these discussions and any changes to the IEP’s will be shared with the staff team to ensure continuity of care and support is ongoing. 

We highly value parent input into their child’s learning and development and this is encouraged at all times. Of course you know your child best, Parents and Key Person should work together to plan for children’s progression and this is done through regular communication and meetings.

Parents are welcome to come in and spend time with the children either during family day sessions or open days. We have shared various parent / family days including; Christmas songs, Mothers day, Grandparents day, Father's day etc. We have then provided regular feedback forms for families to complete about our service. We also send out parent questionnaires so that we can evaluate our provision and this all goes towards our development plan within the setting and areas we may need to progress in as practitioners.