Medstead Pre-School & Nursery

At Medstead Pre School each child has a dedicated member of staff, the child’s key worker, who will work closely with them and their family to monitor progress which highlights the need for any necessary early intervention for additional support either from ourselves or an outside agency. At Medstead Pre School we operate an ‘Open Door’ policy where parents/carers are encouraged to speak to staff at any time if they have any worries or concerns about their child.

We have a good staffing ratio at Medstead Pre School, all of whom are qualified to a level 3 or above in Childcare and Education. Staff work together to develop and plan activities that are suited to our children. The key worker, along with other staff, makes regular observations and assessments to ensure that each child is making the required level of progress which is all documented in their individual Learning Journal. On induction each child receives an ‘All About Me’ form which focuses on their strengths, home life, interests and language. Within the team we have three dedicated members of staff who have regular extra training in a range of Special Educational Needs requirements. These members of staff, with parental consent, will also liaise with outside agencies (such as the Area Inclusion Co-ordinator and Speech and Language Therapists) who provide us with professional advice and guidance. A plan will be drawn up between the outside professional, key worker and parents and this plan will be regularly updated along with regular meetings.

The key worker writes an Individual Plan which is designed to identify strengths and pin point the areas where extra support is needed. This feeds into the curriculum plan to enable the child’s individual learning needs to be met.

We do this through constant communication and documentation via an online learning journal; this includes the opportunity for parents to have an informal chat with their child’s key worker or any member of staff on a daily basis. If parents are unable to drop off/collect their child then a home book is used. A weekly blog is sent to all parents so that they can get a better understanding of what their child has been doing at pre school that week and through termly newsletters that contain key dates for upcoming events. Termly parent consultation meetings are held where the key worker shares the child’s Learning Journal with parents that include short and more detailed observations, photos and work produced, along with input from home. Also the agreed meetings between the outside agency, parent and key worker.

Medstead Pre School has policies and procedures in place to support the running of the pre school and the safety and wellbeing of the children and staff. These can be found on our website at www.medsteadpreschool.co.uk. All staff have diverse training which is updated as required and includes Epi Pen training and First Aid. Each year pre school send a Parents’ Questionnaire to each family to gather opinions on the service and support we provide to children and their families. The results are used to help improve the setting where appropriate.

Each member of staff is qualified to a level 3 or above in Childcare and Education. The majority of staff are first aid trained, and have attended advanced safeguarding training. All staff has basic Makaton training. We have a Makaton sign of the week and we also use Makaton signing through songs and rhymes etc. Sign and symbols are displayed around the setting in the appropriate areas to support our children’s communication skills. Some members of staff are qualified in British Sign Language Level 1. We have a close link with the onsite primary school which has a deaf unit. Specialist needs are also addressed by access to outside professionals who come into pre school when required.

All staff have attended basic training in Makaton. The majority of the team are qualified in First aid and have attended advanced Safeguarding training as well as Epi Pen training. The Special Educational Needs staff continually update their training.

>Trips and outings are advertised through a termly newsletter. Parents sign a general consent on registration for their children to be taken out as a part of the daily activities of the setting. This general consent details the venues used for daily activities. Parents are always asked to sign specific consent forms before major outings. A risk assessment is carried out before an outing takes place and all venue risk assessments are made available for parents to see. Our adult to child ratio is high, always one adult to two children and any special needs will be catered for as appropriate.

We ensure that our service is fully inclusive in meeting the needs of all children, particularly those that arise from their ethnic heritage, social and economic background, gender, ability or disability. Our setting is committed to anti-discriminatory practice to promote equality of opportunity and valuing diversity for all children and families We work in partnership with parents to ensure that the medical, cultural and dietary needs of children are met. Our environment is as accessible as possible for all visitors and service users. If access to the settings is found to treat disabled children or adults less favourably then we make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the needs of disabled children and adults. We have wheelchair access downstairs and accessible toilets.

We are delighted to welcome prospective children and parents for short visits during the term before they start. This will enable you both to familiarise yourself with what we do and get to know the other children and the staff so that your child will feel happy and comfortable when they start. It also gives you an opportunity to meet your key worker and talk about any issues or concerns you may have. Transition into pre school is a very important time. We work closely with Medstead Primary School and other schools in the area to ensure a gradual transition to big school and to the type of activity and structure that the children will encounter when they actually join the Reception Class. This ensures that their first few days are far less traumatic. During the summer term we have a school uniform box for the school leavers to dress up in their new uniform.

Medstead Pre School is registered for two year old funding for eligible children as well as offering 3 and 4 year olds their government funded 15 hours. A dedicated budget is allocated to train our staff each academic year and we ensure that the resources meet the needs of the children. Inclusion funding can be applied for to support a child with a SEN if required.

Discussions between parents, pre school and outside agencies take place on a regular basis in order to meet the requirements of children with additional needs. Regular meetings with key workers once a term or informal chats with parents at pick up or collection help to ensure that everybody is kept up to date with their child's progress and if appropriate the child will be seen by the setting SENCO or referred to an outside agency for additional support.

We encourage parents/carers to make a positive and essential contribution to the education of their child and we hope they will become actively involved with Medstead Pre-School. Our affairs are managed by a Committee which consists of parents who have children attending the setting and the setting’s leader and all parents are welcome to join or just help with activities and fundraising events held each term. The pre school and committee organise lots of events throughout the year that welcomes parent involvement including Xmas Songs, Nativity, Sponsored Trike Ride and Grandparents Day. Parents and the key person work together on their child learning and development. Parents’ evenings are held termly and it’s here that the planning for the individual child takes place.