Family Information and Services Hub
Local Offer

Alton College Nursery

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

Alton College Nursery is a home from home setting with highly qualified staff, graded Good by Ofsted. 

Who to contact

Telephone
01420 592234 01420 592234
E-mail
nursery@alton.hsdc.ac.uk

Where to go

Address
Havant and South Downs College
Alton Campus
Alton
Hampshire
Postcode

GU34 2LX

View GU34 2LX on a map

Costs

Details
Age group - Costs age 0 - under 3: 8 per hour, 65 per day, 325 per week. Age group - 3 - 4: 7 per hour, 60 per day, 300 per week

Availability

Age Ranges
5 to 8 years
0 to 5 years

Inclusion Information

Special Needs provision
Yes
Special Needs Experience
Physical impairment
Visual impairment
Hearing Difficulties
Language impairment
Details
Caters for children with special needs.
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
Yes

Opening Times & Facilities

Opening Times
Opening Times
DayOpening TimeClosing Time
Monday 08:00 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 17:00
Thursday 08:00 17:00
Friday 08:00 17:00
Facilities
Car Parking
Messy Play Area
Sleeping Area
Outdoor Play
Computer

Local Offer

Description

Alton College Nursery is a home from home setting with highly qualified staff, graded Good by Ofsted. 

Contact Name
Jo Osgood
Contact Telephone
01420 592234
Contact Email
nursery@alton.hsdc.ac.uk
Local Offer Age Bands
Early Years (0-4 years)
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?

Staff at Alton College Nursery are supported by an experienced Special Educational Needs Coordinator who has  undertaken many Continued Professional Development courses to broaden her understanding of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. All staff work with all children and they also expand their understanding with regular meetings, supervisions and training regarding SEND. The SENCO and Manager also attend regular courses run by the Local Authority to keep their knowledge up to date. 

How will early years setting/school/college staff support my child/young person?

At Alton College Nursery each child has 2 key workers who monitors your child’s progress through our online system, which are regularly updated, in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage. Each key worker plans for their children based on their individual needs and interests. Any concerns regarding your child’s development are always discussed with you first and parental permission is always sought before contacting any outside agencies. Our SENCOs support staff and liaises with you and any outside agencies involved with your child, including Services for Young Children, Speech Therapists, Area Inclusion Coordinators, among others. They also attend SEN support sessions and help to coordinate transitions to school. The SENCOs work closely with each key worker in order to monitor their developmental progress and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or behavioural plans are written up in consultation with all who are involved with your child. The amount of support is tailored to fit the individual needs of your child.

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

Each child is individual and unique- the Nursery allows them to explore and investigate in a rich learning environment, while always ensuring their safety. Staff ensure your child’s learning is extended through quality interactions and expert progression of activities that your child is interested in. Regular observations of your child are observed and written by all staff and recorded in your child’s online learning journey. The daily planning is child-led, supported through loose termly themes. This is often spontaneous, leading to a rich, unique experience for your child.

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?

Staff are always available and are happy to discuss your child’s needs. Parents are encouraged to speak to their child’s key worker at drop off and pick up, and can phone or email the nursery at any time to discuss their child or to arrange a more formal meeting.

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

All staff are responsible for ensuring your child is safe and secure both emotionally and physically during their time at Nursery. All staff are Enhanced DBS checked and carry out regular safeguarding training. The Nursery has two Designated Safeguarding Leads, Jo Osgood and Kayleigh Murrell; any disclosures made are dealt with in line with current child protection guidelines. The Nursery also has numerous policies to ensure your child’s well-being, which are available to all parents to view at any time. The Nursery regularly has students attend on work experience- they are also Enhanced DBS checked, follow strict procedures and go through a rigorous induction training. The room and garden are checked daily before children arrive to ensure safety and toys and equipment are continuously checked to ensure none are compromised or broken. All staff are trained in paediatric first aid and Epipen administration. All medications are kept in a locked medicine box on the kitchen wall. Medicine forms are required to be filled out and signed by parents and staff before any medication is administered. The Nursery used 2 iPads to take photos of children and activities for their online learning journey. You are asked for consent to this on the registration forms.

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

The Nursery has 7 members of staff, along with 2 bank staff and 1 agency cover. Our qualifications range from Apprenticeship Level 2 up to Level 6 (Early Years Professional Status) There are 2 SENCO’s, one of whom is Level 3 Elklan trained, and 2 Designated Safeguarding Leads. Most staff have basic macaron understanding, which we use during song and rhyme time, language activities and general play/snack times. All staff are trained in First Aid and Safeguarding. All staff have access to an online training provider, which provides many opportunities for staff to develop knowledge in many different areas, including SEND.

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

Staff are all qualified between Apprenticeship Level 2 up to Level 6. The two SENCOs have attended the relevant training and attend termly workshops to keep up with current knowledge. One SENCO is Level 3 Elklan trained, which is a speech and language qualification. When training is attended it is shared at staff meetings so all staff can benefit and learn from each other. This allows us to use our knowledge to enhance the children’s learning and ensure their well-being.

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

The Nursery is situated on a college grounds which the Nursery uses to extend the children’s learning. All children are supported to take part in trips, including to local parks, shops and college grounds; this includes enhanced ratios. The children are invited to take part in physical activities with students in the college; staff accompany the children to the sports hall and help them when necessary to be able to participate. All areas of Nursery are accessible for all children. Staff talk to the children about what they are doing and how they should behave; we have a set of Golden Rules which the children follow which helps them to development their understanding of Nursery boundaries.

How accessible is the setting/school/college enviroment?

We are continuously improving the visual and auditory aids in the Nursery depending on the current intake of children. We have recently been completely re-decorated into neutral colours to aid visual communication. The Nursery has a large outdoor area, split into 3 different gardens which are accessible to all. We have a large undercover area as well. This is split into an Under 2 Area and Over 2 Area, mirroring inside the main room. Out in the gardens there are ride along toys, bikes, hoops, balls, bats, different sized slides, a swing, tractor tyres, raised beds, and a mini beast area. We also have fruit trees, which the children help pick the fruit from to be used at snack times.

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?

Parents are invited to visit the setting after hours to meet staff and to look around, discuss your child’s needs. You are then invited to bring your child along for a short session with us for them to be able to get used to being left and for them to develop a relationship with staff. If your child gets distressed or upset we will contact your immediately- we do not want your child to be upset. We have a short All About Me form online that you are encouraged to fill out to we can best support your child during their time with us. The Nursery works closely with locals schools throughout the year. Teachers are invited in to discuss and observe your child before they transition to school. This gives us a chance to discuss any particular needs your child may have when moving to their new school. A transition meeting can be arrange with yourself and all professionals involved in your child’s learning and development to make your child’s transition to school as easy as possible.

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

All children receive up to 570 hours (15 Universal Hours) per funded year of free early years education from the term following their third birthday. We also accept children who received 1140 hours (30 Extended Hours), following their third birthday. The Nursery also includes children who receive two year funding (570 Hours) which is accessible to families on low incomes and other criteria. Additional funding can be claimed for children with special

educational needs (SEN), the staff discuss with parents how best to spend this funding in order to benefit the individual child and their needs.

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

If your child has no diagnosis but you have expressed concerns or your child’s key worker has identified something either during a 2 year check or through observations, then we will discuss with your how best to support your child. This may mean seeking your permission to involve outside agencies which may be able to help. Observations and behaviour records, such as ABCC charts can be carried out and shared with your to create a pattern and to help us plan ways to further support your child. Our SENCOs will draw up and IEP in collaboration with your and your Childs key worker, which is reviewed and updated regularly.

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

Parents are regularly contacted for your reviews and questions about your child’s time at Nursery. Our online learning journey is very much a 2 way communication- parents are actively encouraged to add their own observations and photos so children can be shown while at Nursery.

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

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Last Updated: 21 February 2024

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