
Little Wisp Hilltops

- Offering services to:
- Children 0-5
- Carescheme type:
- Pre-School Playgroup
Little wisp preschool Hilltops is one of our four settings based in the Allbrook Scouth hut in Boyatt Wood, Eastleigh. We have a lovely large space with a small outside area and use of the park. The preschool is age appropriate and adapted to meet all children's needs. We have a lovely large room with lots of resources to extend child's learning and play. We have lovely natural materials and areas to explore the world around us.
Who to contact
- Contact Name
- Kim Sallis
- Contact Position
- Owner
- Telephone
- 07738039999 07738039999
- Website
- https://www.willowthewispltd.co.uk/.../little-wisp-hilltop
- Scan to visit this website
- Notes
Please contact 07738039999 for any enquries or email littlewisppreschool@willowthewispltd.co.uk.
Or check out our website on willowthewispltd.co.uk
Where to go
- Address
-
14th Eastleigh Scout Hut
Allbrook Hill
Eastleigh
Hants
- Postcode
-
SO50 4LY
View SO50 4LY on a map
Availability
- Has wheelchair access
- Other notes
Here at Little wisp Hilltops we are seen as a fully inclusive setting who provide for both SEN and EAL children. We work together as a team and have developed our parent partnerships to ensure all families feel welcome and valued at all times. Each child is unique and this is something we ensure we implement throughout our setting and ensure we adapt to each child's needs. The staff work closely with the families and support additionally if needed. We have a strong ethos within our setting and ensuring the children have a happy and stimulating environment is extremely important along with ensuring that parents and carers feel involved within there child's learning and development.
When a child starts with us at Little Wisp Hilltops they will receive an induction pack and be allocated a key person. The child will be given settle sessions and have a pre completed all about me to allow the staff to support the child through there own interests. Once the child is settled the child will have a initial baseline that will look at child's own interest, learning and development based on the EYFS and our own curriculum. This will give us a clear overview and also give us a focus for areas of learning and how these can be achieved. During the first 6 weeks of your child's settle period we will also look at any additional support that your child may need, we will also gain further support from agencies if needed.
Inclusion Information
- Wheelchair access
- Yes
- Special Needs provision
- Yes
- Special Needs Experience
-
Epilepsy
Global Developmental Delay
Visual impairment
Downs syndrome
Emotional needs
Learning difficulties
Loss or Bereavement
Hearing Difficulties
Language impairment
Physical impairment
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Renal failure
Asthma
Medical Needs
Motor impairment
Challenging Behaviour
Social development impairment
Spinabifida
Diabetes
Serious allergy / Anaphilaxis
Autistic Spectrum Disorder ASD
Cerebral Palsy
Severe dietary needs - Provision for special dietary needs
- Yes
- Can make special cultural provisions
- Yes
- Experience
- Yes
Childcare Information
Funded Places
- Offers 3 & 4 year old funded places
- Yes
- Offers 2 year old funded places
- Yes
Opening Times & Facilities
- Facilities
-
Kitchen Facilities
Garden
Construction toys
Adventure playground
Cookery
Air Conditioning
Messy Play Area
Accessible Parking
Heuristic play
Open Space
Disabled Access
Home Corner
Arts & Crafts
Healthy Eating
Outdoor Playspace
Internet Connection
Kitchen
Car Parking
Outdoor Play
Books & Storytelling
ICT Facilities
School Pickups
Does not offer school pickups
Local Offer
- Description
At little wisp Hilltops we pride our selves in supporting all children, and adapt our environment and strategies based on the individual child. To ensure the best possible support for children with additional needs the settling SENCO, Manager and the child's key person and work closely with the family to meet the needs of the child. Children lean at different development stages some children may join our preschool with already having identified additional needs, some needs may be identified after the child starts these will be discussed with the family and the SENCO will work with agencies to support the child.
We are a fully accessible preschool with ramps and wide doorways. Our staff team is kind and friendly and we welcome all children, whilst making sure children with additional needs are fully supported to help them meet their milestones. The staff are kind and patient and have a thorough knowledge of child development to enable them to identify any problems early on. We are all able to sign using Makaton, which we use daily in songs and rhymes. We use visuals in a range of ways; visual timetables, choice boards, now and next boards and as prompts. Children who are struggling in anything particular take part in language groups to work on specific areas. These are evaluated regularly to ensure the child is making progress. We work with outside agencies closely to make sure we are doing everything we can for SEND children. We also work with parents to set small and achievable targets for children with additional needs so they are able to progress through the EYFS.
- Contact Name
- Debbie Dann
- Contact Telephone
- 07727091138
- Contact Email
- littlewisppreschool.hilltops@gmail.com
- 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?
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.
- How will early years setting/school/college staff support my child/young person?
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.
- How will the curriculum be matched to my child's/young person's needs?
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.
- 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?
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.
- What support will there be for my child's/young person's overall well being?
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.
- What specialist services and expertise are avaliable at or accessed by the setting/school/college?
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.
- What training have the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had? Are any being trained currently?
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.
- How will my child/young person be included in activities outside this classroom including school trips?
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.
- How accessible is the setting/school/college enviroment?
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.
- 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?
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.
- How are the setting's/school's/college's resources allocated and matched to children's/young people's special educational needs?
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.
- How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child/young person will receive?
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.
- How are parents involved in the setting/school/college? How can I be involved?
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.
Last Updated: 30 August 2023