SEND

(Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator)

Local Offer for Children with Special Educational Needs and or Disabilities (SEND)

How does Balloon Day Nursery know if a child needs extra support?

We have an embedded system to ensure that a key person is allocated to every child. This key person completes regularly observations that are then used to inform the child’s planning around their individual needs and interests. These include interests from home and interests at nursery. The key person completes assessments on every child to identify any support that may be required.

These assessments are shared with the parents who are encouraged to add their comments. We then implement a joint approach.

When a child initially starts with us we provide settling in sessions where the key person/room leader familiarises themselves with the child’s individual needs, interests and abilities. This is the initial opportunity for the parents to identify any needs with the key person/room leader so that these can be catered for. The parents and the key person/room leader complete an initial starting point of development form on this settling in session to identify any concerns.

How will the staff support the child?

We have a dedicated Nursery SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator) who has received specialized training through the local authority. The SENCO’s primary role is to provide support to the key person, the child, and their families to ensure that the child’s unique needs are effectively addressed.

To ensure inclusivity, we maintain robust and regularly reviewed policies and procedures that ensure our resources and environments are suitable and accessible for all children.

The SENCO and the key person work closely together, collaborating to differentiate resources, experiences, and activities to meet the specific needs of each child. By doing so, they aim to create personalized plans for each individual child based on their abilities and interests.

To gain further insights and guidance in supporting the child, the Nursery SENCO will liaise with other professionals such as Early Years Inclusion Officers, Speech and Language Therapists, and Health Visitors. Of course, such collaboration will be done with the parents’ consent, respecting their involvement in the child’s development.

The key person and SENCO will work collaboratively to implement the recommended strategies and achieve the set targets. To ensure ongoing progress and adaptability, the plans and activities will be regularly reviewed by the key person, SENCO, and the parents, providing continuous support and updates for all children.

How are parents / carers included in the child’s education and curriculum?

We highly value open communication with parents, and the key person plays a vital role in collaborating with them to ensure the optimal support for each child’s learning journey.

During the initial settling-in sessions, parents and caregivers work closely with the key person to help the child transition smoothly into the nursery environment. Throughout this period, the key person diligently completes an information sheet to gain a comprehensive understanding of the child’s individual routines, needs, interests, and abilities.

We actively encourage parents to engage with the key person and actively participate in their child’s development. They are invited to share observations and activities from home, allowing us to stay informed about the child’s evolving interests and preferences. This valuable information is then incorporated into the planned activities to create a more personalized learning experience for the child.

To keep parents involved and informed about their child’s progress, we schedule regular meetings where we review the child’s growth and achievements. Additionally, we maintain individual learning journals for every child, which parents can access at any time. We highly encourage parents to contribute their views and comments in these journals, fostering a collaborative approach to their child’s education and development.

How accessible are the environments?

If the family speaks English as an additional language, we actively encourage them to share key words in their home language with the key person. This enables better communication between the key person and the child, fostering a deeper understanding and connection.

At Balloon Day Nursery, we take pride in our unique approach, characterized by a genuine love for children. Our Manager, key person, and SENCO work closely with parents to create the most suitable base room for each child. This ensures that they have optimal access to all the resources and activities every day, tailored to meet their individual needs effectively. By working collaboratively with parents, we aim to provide the best possible environment for the child’s growth and development.

Helping with transitions

Transitions are crucial moments in a child’s life, and at Balloon Day Nursery, we prioritize well-planned and supported transitions.

Upon a child’s first arrival at the nursery, the key person collaborates with the parent to determine suitable times for the child to settle in at their own pace. This approach ensures a smooth and comfortable start for the child.

Throughout a child’s time at Balloon, if they transition to another room, the key person facilitates a seamless handover of relevant information to the new key person. This sharing of information helps to maintain continuity and ensure the child’s needs are met in their new environment.

To facilitate successful transitions to the next age range, the child participates in a series of settling-in sessions. The new key person pays close attention to the child’s interests and needs, ensuring they are well-adjusted to their new room and peers.

When it is time for a child to transition to school, we actively involve the new teachers by inviting them to the nursery. The key person completes all necessary transition supporting documents and relays them to the school. This collaborative effort ensures a smooth and positive transition for all children.

For more detailed information, we encourage you to reach out to the Balloon Day Nursery Manager. They will be happy to provide further assistance and address any questions or concerns you may have.

We offer 2-years funded places, 3-4years funded places as well as 30 hours funded childcare.
We are a full year childcare provision, offering places for private and funded sessions for 51 weeks of the year

We have a dedicated minibus for taking the children out on trips. We also use this to provide collection and drop-off services for children living within 3 miles radius of the nursery.
We are a full year childcare provision, offering places for private and funded sessions for 51 weeks of the year