Helen Melvin

I continually assess and observe all of the children in my care. I also discuss with the parent any concerns that they may have about your child's developmental progress. Any concerns I have are initially discussed with the parent, and with parental permission I then seek further professional advice

I continually involve and liaise with parents on a daily basis through a Daily Report Book. I also work closely, and follow the advice of other professionals who also involved in the care of the child. I will use your child's strengths to build upon and boost each child's confidence and self-esteem. Where English is not a child's first language I can work with outside professional bodies to access resources to support the child in my setting. I have a wide range of resources that your child can access which are age related and support each developmental stage.

I use the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum as a guide. All planning individually tailored to suit your child's individual development needs, using my observations as a starting point. I also use the child's interests to encourage their learning and participation. Children are encouraged to explore both indoors and outdoors to ensure that their learning is encouraged at every opportunity.

I work closely with outside bodies. I also include a range of photographs, props, makaton signs and symbols in my setting to aid children's understanding and ability to communicate their needs.

Observations are carried out on your child and an assessment is made which will highlight areas of development that may need to be encouraged. Planning is addressed within these areas of learning. Additional funding can be claimed for children with special educational needs.

I am committed to providing the best, highest quality child care to the children in my care and their parents, emphasizing early childhood education in a nurturing, safe and rewarding environment, whilst promoting the physical, mental, social and emotional well-being of every child. One of the most important elements to success in my setting is open communication and good partnerships between the parents and myself. Parents are kept fully informed about your child's progress and achievements, though the use of Daily Diaries and observations. I use their observations to guide my planning. I am also happy to meet and chat either over the telephone, email or text. Any concerns are always shared with the parent first and with agreement, I will seek further advice from other professionals when necessary.

I have an inclusion policy which is always put into practice. Before undertaking trips I will always seek your advice for guidance to ensure that your child is able to gain the most benefit from the trip. All trips are risk assessed, taking into account each child's individual health and medical needs.

I work from home, in a detached house. There is a small step into the house which can be covered with a wooden ramp.  All of the rooms that the children use are on the ground floor. There is a small step into the garden (which can be covered with a wooden ramp), which is a flat, partly grassed and partly patio. The doors are wide enough for a child's wheelchair.

I have an admission/settling in policy which I follow for all children. I carry out initial meetings to enable me to meet the parent and child and to get to know you better. I am happy to discuss and/or provide details of your child's development folder with a new school or early years setting.

I work closely with families to ensure that I identify and obtain specialist equipment where equipment, and this is always under review. Parents are offered a Parental Questionnaire to ensure that my service meets their needs. Regular observation, assessment and planning allows me to meet each child's individual needs in all areas of their development, so that each child can reach their full potential. Children are happy and fulfilled when their needs are being met. I regularly carry out evaluations on each child in my care, taking into account their individual needs and interests, stage of development and abilities. I use this information to help plan challenging and enjoyable experiences across all areas of learning and development in order to develop future skills. I am always willing to further my own professional knowledge and understanding and this continues to benefit the children in my care, to ensure best practice in my setting.

I can be contacted on 07967 637606.

I also have a website www.helenmelvinchildcare.co.uk

All parents are also provided with regular Parental Questionnaires to comment upon my services and I encourage the children to share special moments in their life with the other children in the setting through the use of photographs. I have an established complaints procedure in place and parents are aware of this through my Policy Documents