Finkley Weeke Nursery and Pre-school 2630070

At Finkley Weeke Nursery & Pre-School, we understand that there are several different kinds of special educational needs. We understand that some needs are present early on, and other needs may emerge or become evident later. We understand that all children are unique and individual. We are a fully inclusive setting aiming to support children and their families from the first point of contact all the way through to school. All prospective families are invited to visit the nursery and parents are encouraged to ask questions or share any areas of concern. It is important to discuss any Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND) to determine our ability to meet and support those needs. When a child starts they are allocated a key person who will work closely with the child and parents to share any concerns and ensure regular feedback is given. Development is observed using the observation, assessment and planning cycle in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). At any point if concerns are observed the key person and SENCO will work in partnership with parents to establish what support is needed

 We recognise that future progress, improved outcomes and life skills are dependant on early, timely and consistent action. We recognise the importance of having an open, honest and respectful relationship with all of our parents and families. Each child is allocated a key person who will record and monitor progress. Where there is a concern, this is evidenced and shared with the SENCO and parents. Depending on the concern the child will discuss support strategies and if a targeted plan is needed. The child's key person and SENCO will work closely with parents to signpost or gain permission from parents to contact outside agencies such as INCO, Speech and Language, Portage etc.

The curriculum provided is in line with the EYFS, focusing on the three prime areas and four specific areas. This provides an array of opportunities for learning in an indoor and outdoor environment. We have a variety or resources which reflect the EYFS and the areas of learning, whilst also providing daily opportunities to travel in our minibus to visit the farm, woodland, zoo, shops, train station or wherever the Children’s interests take us. The curriculum is delivered through a combination of both child initiated and adult led activities. The setting offers a stimulating and enabling environment with resources matching the developmental needs of the children in order to facilitate the highest level of learning specific to each child. All practitioners have sound knowledge of the EYFS and a buddy system, where a practitioner can work closely along side another member of staff. 

We have an open door policy, parents and families are always welcome to speak to their key person, SENCO or management and discuss and queries or concerns they may have. Parents are provided with daily verbal feedback from their key person, and an online learning journal of progress is recorded which is emailed straight to parents, this allows parents to comment and add their own observations. A the end of the each day the nursery completes an online daily activity tracker for parents of the setting to log in and see what the children have done that day with a variety of photographs.

We have a parents evening twice a year where parents are invited to attend to discuss progress with the child's key person. We encourage parents to share any areas of learning or next steps they are working on at home, so we can support this in nursery. We have Christmas nativities and party's where we invite parents to come along and spend time in the setting, as well as parent social evenings throughout the year.

 All staff have responsibility for a child's wellbeing, however it will primarily be your child's key person. All of our staff work closely together and in partnership with parents to ensure effective communication. A child needing regular medication will have a care plan and staff will be trained and competent to administer medication. Parents will be required to complete an authorisation form and sign each day that medication has been administered. Where a specialist input has been identified, staff will work closely with any outside agencies to support a child's individual needs. At the setting, our trained safeguarding officer will work with the key person and SENCO to support vulnerable children and their parents. Finkley Weeke Nursery & Pre-School have a comprehensive set of policies outlining general medication administration, safeguarding, infection control, children with allergies etc.

High quality teaching is delivered by experienced and enthusiastic practitioners, four members of staff have a level 3 qualification or above, with two members of staff with a level 2 qualification or currently undertaking an apprenticeship. All members of staff are paired with another practitioner, as a buddy system is in place to support all staff. The setting has a SENCO and a training deputy SENCO, who will have completed the SENCO induction and other relevant courses. All staff hold a valid paediatric first aid qualification or are booked in to complete it and at least level 2 safeguarding, but all are currently enrolled on a Safeguarding Level 3 course, with two members of staff holding a level 4 safeguarding qualification. 

 The setting has a SENCO and we are currently training a deputy SENCO who will have completed relevant training and SENCO induction. These members of staff are experienced at liaising with outside agencies to ensure the child and families needs are being supported. Staff meetings are held monthly, where an update will take place and feedback of any children who are on an individual care plan and any outside agency support being received. In house training is done regularly through training days or staff meetings, where necessary we may ask the parent to provide training for individual needs.

We encourage all children to make the most of the outside environment and facilities at Finkley Weeke Nursery, through daily trips to the farm and the wider local environment using our dedicated Nursery Mini bus. The farm is all on one level with ramps to any raised areas, and is accessible to wheelchair users although there is some uneven terrain. Although our minibus currently is not Wheelchair friendly, should the need arise we would seek alternative transport, to ensure all children in our care have equal opportunities.

The nursery is based in a Scout Hut, there is some mild uneven terrain. The layout of the setting is all on one level, with flat entrance/exit points.

 We work closely with parents for the duration of your child's time at nursery, we have the online learning journals and daily verbal handover which ensures parents are constantly receiving feedback from the setting. We aim to help each child achieve and reach their full potential by offering them a unique learning experience, with daily visits to the farm. We do termly baseline assessments to track children's progress and identify any areas needing additional support. We aim to provide all children with the building blocks to a secure start in life, providing them with an enabling environment and stimulating learning experiences. We have a comprehensive School readiness program and regularly liaise with other settings and local Schools, Portage and other agencies.

 We work alongside parents and outside agencies to ensure that we meet the needs of all children. Where unable to meet the needs of a child from our Early Years Education Funding, application will be made to the Area Inco for help.

 The SENCO, key person and management will discuss the needs of a child with SEND. Together we will decide how support will be delivered and consistent and what actions need to be put in place eg. individual care plan. The communication with parents and outside agencies will be consistent and ongoing. Support is regularly reviewed and amended to reflecting the changing needs of individual children.

 Parents and families are always welcome, we have an open door policy in place to ensure effective communication and support is always available. The online learning journal means that parents can comment and add to their child's learning journal. We have parent social events throughout the year to encourage parent engagement and interaction and various events for parents to spend time in the setting.