Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Policy
At Whizz Kids Nursery we have regard for the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 2014 and the Equality Act (2010).
All children are welcomed into our community, regardless of need or disability. When we know that a child may have a special educational need or disability (SEND) before they start with us, we will endeavour to set up a good transition for them into our setting involving child, parents/carers and any outside professionals known to the child. This may involve the child visiting our setting on a number of occasions and/or a home visit by one of our members of staff.
We have a named SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) and their name is:
Gill Liu
They are there to support all members of staff in the early identification of special needs. They are also responsible for the day-to-day provision for children with SEND. The individual needs of all our children are taken into consideration when planning the curriculum so as to ensure it is accessible to the needs of all our children.
Tracking Progress of Children with SEND
Practitioners are responsible and accountable for the progress and development of their key children, including where pupils access support from intervention groups or specialist staff. High quality teaching, differentiated for individual pupils, is the first step in responding to pupils who have or may have SEND.
We use a Graduated Approach to identify, plan and assess children who need SEND support.
The Graduated Approach consists of 4 steps: ASSESS – PLAN – DO – REVIEW
The detailed systems and procedures on the ‘Graduated Approach to Identifying and Planning for needs in the Early Years’ protocol ensure that where there is an identified need, we will work in true partnership with the child, their family and other professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes.
SEND Management
The SENCO will maintain a register of all the children in the nursery who require additional support. The register will detail their area of SEND need and how the child will be supported to make progress.
Together with your child’s key person, our SENCO maintains and oversees all records for children with SEND in our setting. Following discussion and consultation with parents/carers the SENCO may liaise with other staff and outside agencies as appropriate (such as health, education and social services) regarding the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities of a child.
Children with Medical Needs
Whizz Kids Nursery supports children with medical conditions so that they have full access to education. Some children with medical conditions may be disabled and where this is the case the Nursery will comply with its duties under the Equality Act 2010.
Some may also have special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEND) and may have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan which brings together health and social care needs, as well as their special educational provision and the SEND Code of Practice (2015) is followed.
If a child has a medical condition, advice will be sought from a medical professional who knows the child and discussions will take place with the parents. All medical needs take priority and a care plan may be appropriate so that all staff is aware of the procedures for the individual.
All Staff at Whizz Kids Nursery School will hold a Paediatric First Aid certificate. Staff will attend additional training when necessary to ensure children’s medical needs can be met in the Nursery.