Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability                                            Information:- 

Tilbury Nursery is an inclusive Nursery and we offer the following range of provision to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).

Our Vision


‘All children at Tilbury Nursery with SEND have access to high quality local provision that meets their needs.’

Our Jointly Agreed Commitments:

Every child is entitled to high quality provision appropriate for her or his individual needs.

Parents/Carers will be involved in every step of any assessments or processes involving their child.

Every child will have their needs identified and assessed - with full parental permission at all times. 

Early Years Settings, Services, Agencies and the LA have a shared accountability for ensuring children achieve good outcomes.
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Roles and accountabilities will be clear and focused on the needs of the child.

Funding and decision making will be transparent.

Resources will be used effectively and equitably.

There will be a focus on developing Preventative and Early Intervention approaches.

Parents/Carers participate fully in decisions about provision and services.

Early years settings will work collectively to share effective practice and make best use of resources.

The LA will facilitate capacity building so that Early Years settings are able to meet the needs of the children. 

Co-ordinated and integrated approaches will be developed and maintained with other agencies and voluntary organisations.

See Links below to access information on a range of Local Support Groups and Networks in our area.:- 
 Children's Speech and Language Therapy | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (hct.nhs.uk).
Hertfordshire's Local Offer SEND - Support Groups and Networks

How does the setting know if children need extra help & what should I do if I think my child may have Special Educational Needs?

• Every child is a unique individual.
• Every child is allocated a Key Person who will be your link person.
• Your child’s Key Person will help settle thereby bond with your child and be responsible for supporting and progressing your child through the planning of activities taking their uniqueness, interests and the characteristic’s of how they learn into account.
• This may highlight an individual need & if so, the Key Person will discuss this with you.
• Parents/carers and the Key Person will link and work together to ensure your child is fully supported at all times irrespective of need.
• Your child's Key Person will continually monitor and review your child's development using Development Matters Guidance & through a range of observations.
• We acknowledge good communication with families is key to supporting the children in our care.
• Your Key Person may – with parental consent - involve the Nursery’s SENCO’s - Special Educational Needs Coordinators Susie Scutt and Daniela Drozd who are working in partnership and are jointly responsible for overseeing all children who may need some extra support along the way.
• If you have any concerns about your child, then please arrange a meeting with your Key Person and Susie or Daniela.

 
How will staff at Tilbury Nursery support my child?

• All staff at Tilbury Nursery work in partnership with parents/carers.
• Our aim is to work as a team to ensure that every child is given the support that they need to improve outcomes.
• Once your child has been offered a place at the Tilbury Nursery parents/carers are invited to a ‘New Parents Meeting’ with your child.
• You will be introduced to your child’s Key Person. This is an ideal opportunity for us to share information and for us to get to know your child.
• Parents are given a selection of paperwork to fill out with regards their child :- All About Me Form and important relevant information about your child’s learning and development in the 3 Prime Areas of Personal, Social & Emotional Development, Physical Development and their Communication and Language Development.
•  If your child has any Additional Needs, then this is a good time to let the Key Person know. This means support can be put in place as soon as possible. Parents/carers will be included in ALL planning and reviewing processes. 
• If deemed necessary, we will monitor children using the Assess - Plan – Do - Review model.
•  Based on the outcome of 2 rounds of the Assess – Plan – Do – Review model.It may be deemed necessary for your Key Person to raise an IEP (Individual Educational Plan) with SMART Targets – Specific, Measurable, Achievable (sometimes agreed), Realistic/Relevant, Timebound (Timely) Targets.
• An IEP highlights your child's specific needs and how those are going to be met at our Nursery.
•  We work closely with outside agencies that also give advice and support so the IEP may include targets from other professionals supporting your child. For a very small number of children further assessment is needed.
• In this instance we would use further assessment tools e.g. the Individual Assessment of Early Learning and Development (IAELD) and the Early Years Developmental Journal.
  
• Additionally, we may look at applying an Educational Health Care Plan/Local High Needs Funding & parents/carers will be fully involved in all these processes.
•  We work together with our local Family Centre that also supports families. 
• Tilbury Nursery has many systems in place that support ALL children, not just those who have Additional Needs.
•  We use a visual timetable to support ALL children throughout the session. 
• Staff have attended Makaton Signing Training & we encourage communication with signing throughout the day.

 
How will I know how my child is doing?

• Tilbury Nursery adopts an Open Door Policy and we are happy to discuss your child’s progress and well-being at all times.
• We have parents/carers Consultation Meetings throughout the academic year. This is an ideal opportunity to get together to share information and to update you on your child's progress.
• For children with SEN that require an IEP (Individual Education Plan) regular updates with parents take place at least once a term.
• Some families will be issued with a home/school link book which acts as a communication aid between home and school.
• Someone is always available if you need to have an informal chat.
• We welcome communication from families by text, email or phone.

How will the Learning & Development provision be matched to my child’s needs?

• At Tilbury Nursery  we have a stimulating and rich learning environment both inside and out.
• Children are given access to outdoor provision at all times. Our outdoor provision is particularly exciting and we can be outside whatever the weather!
• We encourage independence and promote social skills throughout the sessions.
• All children will be encouraged to reach their full potential.
• During session’s, observations are made on an informal and formal basis. These support our assessments and will influence further planning.
• Activities are differentiated to match the needs of the children & preschool staff skilfully help and support children who require help.
• Key workers implement the IEP’s (Individual Educational Plan).

 
What support will there be for my child’s overall well-being?

• All staff at Tilbury Nursery are welcoming, approachable & friendly.
• Staff provide an inclusive, fun, positive approach to Learning and Development.
• We provide good role-models for positive and consistent behaviour throughout the session.
• Susie Scutt is our Mental Health and Well-Being Lead within the Nursery. She teaches Yoga and is currently training as a Relax Kids Coach to support the mental health and well-being of the children in our Nursery.
• We have created a Nurture Corner within the Nursery Setting – See Well-Being Page on Website.
• We celebrate children's achievements no matter how big or small. Parents/carers are encouraged to complete WOW Moments From Home.
• All children are treated with respect and we acknowledge that all children need to feel valued and nurtured.
• We promote British Values in our setting.
• If your child has a medical need, a personal Health Care Plan can be adopted.
• Staff will be trained in giving the appropriate medication for your child for their health care needs.
• Key staff at Tilbury Nursery are fully trained in Paediatric First Aid.

 
What Specialist Services & expertise are available at/or accessed by the setting?
 
Tilbury Nursery has a good working relationship with many outside agencies.
We have a wonderful IDO Inclusion Development Officer - Rebecca Clements - who works closely with the Nursery and is available at all times should the setting need support or advice.
We work together with Speech and Language Therapists, Health Visitors, Autism Specialist Service, Health Care Professionals & have welcomed support and advice from Specialist Teachers and Educational Psychologists.

• We have undertaken Specialist Training as a staff team and also attend outside training on an individual basis.
• ALL Support staff attend regular training in order to support individual children.
• We use the Wellcomm programme to assess ALL the children’s Communication & Language Development.
• We are currently awaiting access to Elklan Training.
•  Susie Scutt is booked to attend the new TAB Therapeutic Approach to Behaviour Training in early December 2021.
• Staff are Makaton Trained.
• We provide information on groups and facilities available at our local Family centre.
• All staff are trained to support children with the Hertfordshire Steps programme if it is needed.
• We have good links with our local schools and when needed will work together to provide a suitable transition package to support your child's need.
• We can host TAF (teams around the family) meetings, if required.

 
 
What training and/or experience do the staff supporting children with SEN have?

• Both Susie Scutt and Daniela Drozd have completed recent SENCO Training.
• ALL staff have access to an Educare Training facility at all times.
• Our staff are very committed and regularly tap into this training to ensure they are always up to date with new information and current training.
• Training :- See Staff Page on this Website.

 
 
How will my child be included in activities outside the setting?

• Full risk assessments will be carried out before each trip.
• We will discuss your child’s needs with you to ensure they can be included.
• Parents/carers are welcome to join us if they feel they would like to.

 
How will I be involved in discussions about & planning for my child’s Learning & Development?

• You will be included in all aspects of your child’s learning and development at all times.
• As your child's primary carer, you know your child better than anyone else.
• At Tilbury Nursery the staff value your input and actively welcome your thoughts and ideas.
• Working in partnership is paramount at all times.
• During Consultations/Open day your child’s learning and development will be discussed and ideas shared.
• Parents/carers have access to their Journals at all times.
• Parent/carer involvement is encouraged and welcomed & full parent/carer consent will be obtained before any assessments are carried out.
• We will keep parents/carers informed of any observations made & we will plan together.

 
How accessible is the Building & Environment?

• Tilbury Nursery is situated in Church premises.
• The environment is very accessible and meets the current disability regulations.
• There are no stairs in our building and we have a ramp access & the garden is easily accessible.
• We have a disabled toilet with wheelchair access.
• We constantly review our environment and are able to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the needs of children with Additional Needs if necessary.

 
How will the setting prepare & support my child with transitions from Home to Early Years Setting to Primary School?

• During our New Parents Meeting your child’s Key Person will begin to build a relationship with your child. This is a fabulous opportunity for you to discuss any concerns you may have or just to share information regarding your child.
• Welcome packs are given & home information sheets will be completed.
• Home Visits are offered to ALL our families prior to your child starting at Nursery.
• Entry to Nursery is staggered so that your child can obtain individual attention when they first start.
• For children with SEN, settling in procedures will be discussed and reviewed with parents on a regular basis.
• We offer a Settling In morning to ALL children when Mum is encouraged to stay. This is done on an individual basis to enable your child to feel safe and secure in their new environment.
• Parents can choose whether they wish to stay several sessions until their child is settled or they just wish to leave them.
• If a child is not settling after several weeks – parents/carers and staff liaise and put a plan into motion – maybe slowly transitioning so child only stays for a short period and builds up length of stay per session. We are very flexible.
• Home to Nursery Book can be introduced if necessary.
• We create Photo Books from Home with photographs from home to help children settle.
• Comforters are an option - if parent/carers feel they would help to settle their child.
• We arrange for the Nursery/ Reception Teacher from the School that children will be moving onto, to come in and meet their new children. We organise this during the last half term before Transition.
• We create a School in our Home Corner and introduce a selection of uniforms, Book Bags etc… from the Schools our children will be transitioning to.
• If your child has Additional Needs - We will liaise with you and organise a Meeting to take place between parents/carers and staff from both settings (prior to your child moving on) to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for both you the parent/carer and the child.  This also helps to ensure that support is put into place before your child starts their new school/setting. All paperwork will be handed over at this stage.
• Transition Reports are completed for ALL children transitioning to School by their Key Person and they will be sent over to their new School.
• Moving On Booklets are available if you require more information.

 
How will resources be used to support children’s special educational needs?

• All staff will be aware of the Cultural capital of every child attending our Nursery so each child can be supported using all this information to ensure we are tapping into their interests etc…
• Planning is differentiated to enable ALL children to access, enjoy and achieve.
• All activities are made accessible for ALL children and reasonable adjustments are put in place should this be deemed necessary.
• We provide a wide and varied range of resources to support all areas of learning and development.
• We update regularly to keep the children engaged and interested.
• We are happy to provide resources if a child requests a particular toy or activity.
• We are led by the children and plan around their needs, requests and interests.  
• We have regular staff meetings to review our practice and implement changes if appropriate.
• We always operate within appropriate staff:children ratios whilst in session.

 
Who can I contact for further information about the Early Years Offer in the setting?

• Contact Daniela Drozd/Susie Scutt (SENCO)
• For further information on the local authority's Local Offer of service and provision for children with special educational needs and disability go to www.hertsdirect.org/localoffer - link on this page.