Thatcham Pre-School

You will be invited in for a visit with your child so they can familiarise themselves with the setting and at the same time you will be required to fill in relevant information about your child. This is an ideal time for you to discuss any additional needs and how as a setting we can support you and your child. We have a key person system which means your child will be allocated a member of staff who will be completing a profile on their progress using the Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which should highlight any areas that your child may have additional needs. If we have a concern your key person and SENCO for the group will address the concern with you where they will discuss the concern, listen to your views and work together to decide on how best to aid your child, which may require involving outside agencies e.g. speech and language therapists. Working together we will agree a realistic plan on achievable targets for your child to work towards.

Once your child has been highlighted with an additional need we will consult with you on our concerns and give you the opportunity to voice your concerns and feedback regarding your child. Sometimes we may suggest an involvement of an outside agency; this is to support you, your child and to help us with suggestions on how we can support your child in their future development. This is all done with your knowledge and permission. We will work together on how best to support your child and work together to create a realistic plan and next steps to take. Your childs key person will be responsible for implementing the agreed strategies although each member of staff will also be made aware of your childs needs and will help to provide additional support and consistency. The setting has a designated SENCO, who would oversee and ensure this process is being carried out effectively.

We endeavour to highlight our key childrens next steps regularly which are reflected in our weekly planning. With support we encourage your child to take care of their own needs by supporting them whilst learning new skills then allowing them time and patience to try for themselves. We will work with our parents/carers in aiding them through the different stages of their childs development. (See question 2) We provide opportunities for both adult led and independent play and offer choices from what snack they have to what they play and what resources they use. This allows your child to make simple choices and helps them to develop necessary decision making skills needed in the future.

Our pre-school has a designated person who is our SENCO, who has been on various training courses, which is ongoing. We use visual boards/timetables, PECS, hand over hand support, First and then/ Now and next and object of reference. We have recently had some initial Makaton training. If your child has a specific need e.g. Diabetes, Allergy and needs assistance with insulin injections, epi-pen, we will seek out assistance and training in administering these. We listen to parent/carers or advice given by outside agencies and will adapt our setting, our language, adapt or aquire resources to help your child to be actively involved in all areas of learning e.g. visual aids/prompts etc.

Depending on your child needs we may offer a 1:1 to support your child. This has been done on numerous occasions and has shown positive results.

We have accessed different outside agencies within our pre-school in the past e.g. Pre-school Teacher Councillors, Speech and Language and Educational Psychology Service. Speech Therapist has been actively involved within our pre-school in the past and we welcome them in to either observe your child or to do 1:1 within the group. Parent/Carers are actively involved in all discussions about their child and any outside agencies. We will be supportive to you and your child in implementing plans which have been outlined for your child to achieve and any resources, equipment will be implemented to assist this.

See Question 3. We use the Early Years Framework and Tapestry online journals which parents can log onto to see their child's progress.

We have a large room which can be adjusted to adapt to your childs requirements so they can access the whole of the room and garden. There is one step to the garden but this could be adapted if need be. We will adapt our activities for your childs individual need or will require resources or equipment where necessary. We will communicate and involve parents in preparing for their child to be able to access all areas. We may require to do risk assessments due to your childs specific needs. School Trips: When we arrange school trips this is done where all parents are invited and are in charge of their own children. We will make arrangements with the vendor to ensure that all children will be able to access and enjoy the event. We will work with all parents so they can all access the travel arrangements e.g. coach, own transport or shared transport.

Our building is wheelchair accessible. There is one step down to the garden area. There is a disabled toilet based within our building. Our changing facilities are also within the disabled toilet in the lobby area. We are happy to discuss changing facilities and adapt where possible.

We will be in contact with your childs new setting and relay any necessary information for your childs smooth transition. Schools have in the past arranged to come in and visit your child within group time so they can introduce themselves and will have an informal chat with their key person about how they can support your childs smooth transition and what will be necessary for them to put in place for your childs support. All learning journals will go off to the childs next setting or school with a transition report and any play plans that are ongoing. Parents will be invited to read this report and to make comments on them and any concerns can be discussed. This will allow your childs new setting/school to see how your child is learning and show them at what development age they are achieving.

The Chairperson is actively involved in our SEND and in the past, has approved a member of staff to give assistance to a child, on a 1:1 basis. Parents have access to our Policies and Procedures which are displayed on our parent information table and we welcome any comments.

Contact Jodie Conyard the Day-to-Day Manager to have an informal chat, arrange for a visit to look around the pre-school or to request an enrolment form. You can also send Enquiries through our website. Thatcham Pre-School Burdwood Community Centre Wheelers Green Way Thatcham RG19 4YA Tel: 0783161145 http://thatchampreschoolinfo.co.uk; or e-mail Enquiries@thatchampreschoolinfo.co.uk

Parent/carers can talk to the manager or chairperson if they have compliments or complaints and will be dealt with as quickly as possible. All staff will listen to any concerns you may have and will deal with them as quickly as they can and relay them back to the manager.