Family Information and Services Hub
Local Offer

Ellingham House Day Nursery

Offering services to:
  • Children 0-5
  • Primary school aged children
Carescheme type:
  • Day nursery

Who to contact

Contact Name
Helen Spiller
Contact Position
Manager
Telephone
01425 473723 01425 473723
E-mail
amy.thorne@familyfirstnurseries.com
Website
www.ellinghamhouse.co.uk
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Where to go

Address
Ellingham
Ringwood
Hampshire
Postcode

BH24 3PJ

View BH24 3PJ on a map

Availability

Age Ranges
0 to 5 years

Inclusion Information

Special Needs provision
Yes
Details
Caters for children with special needs. Challenging behaviour,Developmental delay,Hearing difficulties,Medical difficulties,Physical difficulties,Soc. Interaction Difficulties,Speech and lang. difficulties,Visual difficulties
Can make special cultural provisions
Yes
Details
Cultural and Spec. Diet. Needs,Relig. and Cultural Awareness

Childcare Information

Funded Places

Offers 3 & 4 year old funded places
Yes
Offers 2 year old funded places
No

Opening Times & Facilities

Opening Times
Opening Times
DayOpening TimeClosing Time
Monday 08:00 18:00
Tuesday 08:00 18:00
Wednesday 08:00 18:00
Thursday 08:00 18:00
Friday 08:00 18:00
Facilities
Pets
Car Parking
Messy Play Area
Sleeping Area
Outdoor Play
Computer

Local Offer

Contact Name
Helen Spiller
Contact Telephone
01425 473723
Contact Email
Helen@ellinghamhouse.co.uk
How will early years setting/school/college staff support my child/young person?

Our team is an experienced one and we understand the importance of warm welcomes and a kind and reassuring approach to the settling-in process. We will assess insurance arrangements and practicalities involved in caring for your child and whether we will need specific training before your child can attend ie. although we have had training for administering diabetic medication we would need to update skills for a new child. All About Me information is gathered from the parents, heath visitors and other involved people so that a care plan can be established. Sarah and the nursery Senco will liaise with you about arrangements and will involve The Area Inco. Our Senco attends support meetings and we have excellent support from all county professionals. Next, you will be introduced to your child s key person. She will begin getting to know you and your child and she and Sarah will set in place a setting-in plan.

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

A nurturing environment with child-friendly routines and flexible play is key to every child s development. Our curriculum is linked to The Early Years Foundation Stage framework and we have a balance of adult-led activities and child initiated play. As each child moves through the age and stage groups the curriculum will be adapted to individual needs. If your child needs extra support the Area Inco would be involved to investigate additional SN funding although this cannot be guaranteed; if your child needs extra 1:1 time we organise such; if your child needs to be a part of more regular small group play and games we plan times for doing that. Small group play is key for to helping inclusion. Activities can always be adapted and children s own interests can be included when planning the session.

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?

Good communication is highly valued at Ellingham House. Information from parents at the start of the session is essential for the smooth and continuing transition of care and at the end of the session feedback for parents ensures they feel involved in their child s day. We see it as a partnership and a few minutes spent quietly sharing thoughts is so important staff might suggest ideas for play at home or resources to aid development and parents might suggest ways which are used at home and could be used here too. Written information in your child s profile will complement verbal feedback. This booklet is shared regularly with you and there is space for you to contribute too. The Senco and manager will liaise regularly with you, you can ring in at any time to speak to them and meetings can be arranged. We are used to hosting All Around the Child meetings in our staff room.

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

A day or session in nursery is not just about play and our routines and care help every child's well-being. We know that parents of children with special needs are concerned that medical matters, dietary and exercise needs, behaviour issues are sympathetically addressed. We do all we can to meet every child's needs with specially prepared meals, medicines and treatments given appropriately and measures taken to manage personal and social difficulties. Specialist help has been accessed on a regular basis (through occupational therapists or speech and language therapists or doctors and nurses). It would be advisable to read certain nursery policies, in particular: Special Needs and Inclusion policies, Medical policy, Safeguarding policy, Settling-in policy, Health and Safety policy and Hygiene policy. Each one covers certain aspects of the care we give every child at Ellingham. We have a noticeboard in the dining room where dietary needs are highlighted and we are able to administer medicines with written consent from parents. We have a sensory area which is an ideal place for children to calm down when distressed or for special 1:1 time. We endeavour to meet children's needs by careful consideration of who should support your child's well-being. Sometimes individual needs can only be met by certain confident key staff and this will be emphasised in the first meetings.

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

We often work alongside the county portage service, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. We have worked with Specialist Teachers to draw up Individual Education Plans.

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

Many staff have worked at Ellingham for a long time and have experience of caring for children with a variety of needs. All staff have First Aid certificates, staff receive regular updates and refreshers these are renewed every three years. Helen, our main Senco has regularly attended Speech and Language courses and Gillian our other Senco has attended a workshop training session about Downs syndrome children. Other coursers have been, Thomas training and portage training. Several staff are confident with sing and sign communication and all have epipen knowledge.

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

>We have a secure environment at Ellingham with an extensive garden and pets corner. We value outside play and carefully consider risks and suitability of the various areas. Current children attending with special needs are included always and take part in all activities with support in place as and when they need it. Our environment is varied and we don’t have need to take the children on organised outings. As part of the transition period before school we organise visits to local schools which are well-staffed and tailored to meet the needs of the relevant children.

How accessible is the setting/school/college enviroment?

We know that as a parent of a child with special needs that you will be concerned about safety and that we will need to reassure you that all practicalities will be considered. On the initial tour of the nursery we can talk through any issues you perceive. We have cots, big cushions and pushchairs for sleep requirements in the Baby unit; we have mattresses for sleep and rest times in the toddler rooms; we have cosy chairs and cushions for any rest needed in the Pre-School rooms. The baby and toddler areas have separate rooms for nappy changing and if any older children need such we sympathetically accommodate change facilities. The garden area is for physical play all through the year and in the warmer months is very much the area the children spend most of their time in. Staff risk assess the natural resources and equipment used. The babies play in small all weather artificial grass area.

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?

The settling-in process is an integral part of the transition from home to nursery. Your child will need time to get to know the new adults in their life, the new surroundings they’ll be playing in and the process of separating from you, the most important person. Gradually you will start to move away, perhaps having coffee upstairs but easily called upon if he /she needs you and then to leave and come back later. We can organise four such visits or as many as is needed until you and your child feel comfortable. Transitions between groups are considered in the same way. We plan for next steps and gradual moves. Then when your child is taking next steps to main stream school we plan for teachers visiting Ellingham to see your child in an environment they're comfortable in, then planning a supported visit to the school. It is really important to share information at all these times in order that the transition is smooth and is looked forward to by your child.

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

HCC and SFYC may be able to provide us with any specialist equipment we need for your child. We have a toilet seat frame in use at the moment provided by county. Resources for all children need to be age and stage appropriate. They need to be for both play and comfort and if your child's needs are met, if your child is happy and stimulated you will see a smiley and animated child when you return to collect them. This is always our aim.

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

We want every child to feel special. You will need reassurance that staffing levels will ensure that, you will want a friendly, warm relationship with the key person. You will be included in the care plan. All meetings regarding the care of your child will be undertaken with you and updates given as to progress made and next steps.

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

We aim for a home from home environment and for every parent to feel that a partnership has been set up to aid the care of their child. We recognise that some parents need greater support than others and this is the very nature of the working partnership for the care of a child with special needs. We have an 'open door' policy and parents are encouraged to speak to staff every day about their child, we give a verbal feedback daily. We have an annual BBQ every July for all our families and a Carol Service in Ellingham Church. In each room there is a Parent / Nursery sharing information basket and we keep our noticeboards full of current information. There are photograph albums in each room and we display photographs of the children playing. We have regular parent and staff feedback and hold information evenings.

Offering services to:
  • Children 0-5
  • Primary school aged children
Carescheme type:
  • Day nursery

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Last Updated: 07 April 2023

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