Sara Maccuish - Childminder

Schools extended Local Offer response

Special Educational Needs policy

It is a requirement of SEND 2015, the EYFS 2014 and the Discrimination Act 2010 that all childcare settings provide a policy and procedure which outlines their support structure which they have in place to provide suitable care and facilities for children with additional needs or disabilities.

My setting is based in a private house and therefore may not be suitable for children with certain additional needs or disabilities. While i will endeavour to accommodate each child's individual needs this may not be practical or possible. If it is in the child's best interest to find care in another setting I will help parents in any way I can.

For children who attend my setting their individual needs will be assessed at the start of their care and all parties/parents/children and myself will be involved in discussions to ensure the care provided is in the child's best interest.

Permission will be sought from the parents to discuss the ongoing needs with other professionals concerned with the child's care or to gain advice or further help from them if needed. 

All children will be treated with respect and their individual needs given regard at all times through respectful sensitive interaction between me and other children in my setting. 

Assessments on all children will be undertaken on a regular basis and these will be discussed with the parents. Any concerns which may arise will be dealt withby introducing a strategy which will ensure the child's welfare and development needs are being met at all time.

I am the SENCO for my setting and will liaise with parents and any professionals. 

 

Teaching and learning

I will give the children in my setting every opportunity to learn to be their very best in a caring environment where they can flourish both socially and academically. 

All children dispite race, religion or disability will be treated fairly. 

All of the above will be tailored to each child's stage of development. 

And most importantly will be done with as much FUN as possible. 

Identifying and assessing Special Educational Needs

I work in close partnership with my local authority worker and the area SEN worker. I can (with the help of these people) help to secure any additional support a child may need. 

I have done an autism awareness course. 

I have experience with children with HFA and SPD.

Involving parents and children/young people in planning and reviewing progress

I actively encourage parents of children in my care to stipulate any personal beliefs/cultural values and morals that are of particular importance to them as a family and endeavour to incorporate these as much as possible into my setting. It is through the partnership between the parents and myself that I believe we can help children reach their full potential/flourish and enjoy their childhood.

 

Extra activities

Along with many toys /learning resources both inside and in my garden, I incorporate lots of sensory /messy play into my working week. This is something both I and children seem to enjoy.

We love to learn about wildlife (I get lots in my garden). 

I love to take the children out to parks and woodland pine cones collecting and of course bear hunts. We bring home lots of natural resources and use them in many activities  (much more fun painting with a feather or printing with a Pine cone) 

I love to grow plants and I find children love to see their handy work ie sunflowers growing taller and taller. 

It is great for children to learn about the natural world.  

Keeping up to date with knowledge and skills

I have completed the following training along with the training I did to become a childminder:

Universal Safeguarding Children Awareness 

Paediatric First Aid

And Home Based Childcare Training course

I have also completed :

Progress Check Course 

Understanding Observation Assessment and Planning course 

And an Autism Awareness course 

I talk course

Child sexual and exploitation course

Equality and diversity 

Fgm training

Food hygiene 

Child protection 

Modern slavery and trafficking 

Coshh

Domestic abuse 

 

All this coupled with regular meetings with my local authority worker. 

 

Transitions

Starting school is a big step for you and your child especially if your child has SEN

You as a parent and I as a childcare provider have a duty of care to ensure your child is as school ready and independent as possible. 

I do this by encouraging children to do as much as safely possible for themselves. I write individual learning journals for each child that will outline any areas of the EYFS they are excelling or falling behind with.

I also provide Independent Education plans if needed.

I work to the same EYFS statutory requirements as schools so can provide essential guidance for your child which we can also share with any potential school.

Helpful contacts

Slough Family Information Service - 01753 476589, www.servicesguide.slough.gov.uk

Autism Berkshire - 01189 594594, Admin@autismBerkshire.org.uk 

IPSEA - Independent Parental Special Education Advice - 08000184016, www.ipsea.org.uk 

Early Years Service  - 01753 476554