First Friends Nursery School

The Manager/Assistant Manager chooses the allocation of hours/sessions that best suit you and your child. Your child’s key worker will make continuous observations on your child and raise concerns with the SENCo where necessary. These initial concerns will be discussed with the parent and an observations and monitoring sheets will be used to record additional information. The SENCo will liaise with external agencies/professionals such as Portage, Speech and Language. The SENCo also works closely with Services for Young Children Area Inclusion Team which deal with any initial concerns. 

Each child has an Individual education and care plan (IECP). This is taken from observations, and tracking discussions with parents. The target is then reviewed with the parents regularly and extended when required with parent input. Should your child need an Individual education plan (IEP) the SENCo will create one using the additional information gained from professionals. Visual aids are a vital part of nursery supporting the child through daily routines and transitions. The nursery’s planning involves the ‘child voice’ enabling child led activities. This supports your child as a unique individual and ensures exploration and investigation independently. Offering rich environments support good learning experiences.

Parents will have regular meetings with Key workers every half term or more frequently should the need arise. The SENCo, key workers and parents review  the IEP’S  discussing any concerns that have arisen from the last tracking. 

All staff are DBS checked and regularly update safeguarding and first aid training. Senior staff are also fully trained in Epi-pen administration. Allergy and dietary needs are displayed. We operate a nut free setting. All staff are aware of policies and procedures regarding child protection, medication, use of mobile phones and inclusion. We store all medication in accordance to our policy (i.e stored safely, documented administration). Medicine administrated is documented and signed at the end of the day by parents. Staff conduct a risk assessment prior to every session, this includes both the environment and resources. 

All permanent staff level 3 qualified or working towards level 3 qualification . The SENCo has attended regular training on various topics including positive behaviour management , understanding Autism and undertaking a level 3 in senco qualification. As a setting we are able to transfer our skills to meet children’s needs. The SENCo is also in regular contact with the Area inclusion team and other professionals where appropriate. All staff under take regular training Skills are cascaded to others and parents when required, through team meetings and workshops. Practitioner’s Continuous professional development (CPD) is assessed at supervision with assistant manager identifying areas which require updating.

All trips and outings are within the local area. Ratios are adhered to and risk assessed. All trips are buggy/wheelchair accessible.

During the initial visits we complete a ‘Getting to know  your child’ form. Completion of this will highlight any additional needs for your child that will support transition. First Friends provide stay and play sessions prior to starting at the nursery. The number and duration of these visits will be dependent on the individual child. for transitions to school, Teachers from the receiving school visit the setting to discuss additional needs with the Keyperson, Senco or manager as necessary. First friends send out a transition report to the schools  and attend transition meetings where necessary.

All children have access to the three year old grant following the term after their third birthday. We also accept children in receipt of the two year old funding. Additional SEN funding can be claimed for children with special educational needs. The funding is allocated to enable the children to achieve their full potential with specialist equipment, resources, and aids to support development.

If your child already has a diagnosis prior to starting the nursery then a meeting will be held where all the relevant information will be discussed including your thoughts. This meeting will involve the SENCo, key worker and other professionals involved.  Should the nursery or parents have any concerns once the child has started we will record our observation in our individual monitoring form. This will be shared with you. This information along with the tracking, initial assessments, two year checks, and observations from staff and parents will be discussed with permission with an Area inclusion officer. The area INCo and/or SENCo will refer your child to the appropriate agencies. Your child will be monitored and supported throughout. The amount of support received will be dependent on your child’s level of need.

We welcome any family members that have any specialist areas or experiences in which they would like to share with the nursery. (i.e musical instruments, cooking) We then book a session in which you can come in to share the skills. The setting provides an open door policy where all parents/carers have the opportunity to discuss anything with their child’s key worker, SENCo or  manager.