Local Offer
How does the early years setting know if children need extra help and what should I do if I think my child may have special educational needs or disabilities?
-Using the staffs expertise and knowledge of child development we observe the children regularly to identify if a child may have special educational needs.
-If you have concerns please speak to your childs key worker or room leader.
-We are an inclusive setting and welcome all children regardless of ability.
-We work with families and other professional bodies to ensure the best outcomes for all children attending our setting.
How will early years setting staff support my child?
-When settling your child into Wakoos your key worker will explain key staff and their roles and responsibilities.
-Your childs key worker will work closely with your child to support and develop them in all areas of their learning. They will also work with yourselves to ensure we are fully meeting your childs needs.
-Our setting SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator) will help plan a programme for your childs learning with the relevant outside agencies.
-The committee oversee the daily running of the nursery.
How will the curriculum be matched to my childs needs?
-When your child joins Wakoos they will be given a learning journal, this documents all their learning and development during their time with us which then gets sent to the school when the child starts.
-We plan for the children on a rota basis giving each child a chance to be the focus child, this ensures children are planned for as individuals. E.g if your child enjoys playing with dinosaurs we will use dinosaurs to ensure all areas of the curriculum are met.
How will both you and I know how my child is doing and how will you help me to support my childs learning?
-We hold regular parents evenings for parents/carers to discuss their childs development. In addition to this we have an open door policy so parents can talk to staff at any time. Other forms of communication we use our text messaging, e-mails, newsletters, our website, noticeboards and facebook.
-In your childs learning journal there is a progress report where we mark your childs stage of development. We complete a next steps sheet for your child each term which we share with parents to show how we will be progressing your child. There is an opportunity for you to comment on the next steps sheet and we will suggest ways you can support your childs learning at home.
-We plan to offer parent training in the future.
What support will there be for my childs overall well being?
-We work with various other agencies including speech and language therapists, child psychologists, physiotherapists and any other professional involved with your child.
-We ask parents/carers to complete a health care plan which allows us to administer ongoing medication and treatment.
-We promote positive behaviour within the nursery encouraging children to discuss their feelings and take responsibility for their actions.
-Wakoos is a secure site with high fences around the outside and a buzzer door entry system. It is a purpose built setting with disabled access including a disabled toilet and shower.
-Children are encouraged to participate in their learning by staff sharing their learning journals with them. The childs voice is then added to the next steps sheet.
-If the FIRST (Facilitating Inclusion through Reflection Support and Training) team identify your childs needs to be significant and feel they would benefit for extra support we may qualify for funding to increase our staff to children ratios when your child is present.
What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the early years setting?
-The majority of staff within the setting hold a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Child Care. Staff come from a variety of backgrounds with a wide range of experience. Staff regularly access training via West Sussex training subscription scheme, training needs are identified through regular supervisions.
-We work within the local children and family centre so are fortunate to be able to use their services including health visiting, family information support workers and outreach workers.
What training are the staff, supporting children with SEND, had or are having?
-We recently had whole team training on Autism awareness and Communication and Interaction training provided by a qualified speech and language therapist.
-Our INCO has attended Including all Children.
-All staff are placed on mandatory training within their first 6 months of employment this is Child Protection, First Aid and Food Hygiene.
-When a child starts our setting and additional needs are identified we would ensure staff are provided with the appropriate training to enable them to support their children to the best of their ability.
How will my child be included in activities outside the early years setting including trips?
-Your child will be able to access all of the activities within the setting and we will adapt where necessary without your child feeling different or excluded.
-When on outings we double our staff ratio to ensure the children are kept safe.
-We communicate with parents on a daily basis to update them with what activities their children have participated in.
-We purchase the appropriate resources to support the individual child e.g a child with autism who enjoys sensory play we would provide an area within the setting that promoted sensory development.
How accessible is the early years setting environment? (Indoors and outdoors)
-When registering we will work with families to identify the facilities needed for themselves or their child to be able to access the setting.
-Our building is fully wheelchair accessible with disabled changing, shower and toilet facilities.
-Wakoos is a very visual setting with equipment labelled with pictures and words.
-We assist parents/carers with the relevant forms when registering if they are unable to read or write.
-We are currently introducing Makaton signing within the nursery and hope that by 2015 all staff will be regularly signing with the children.
-We would support parents/carers with English as an additional language by translating important documents, we would also use visual cues such as visual timetables. Where necessary we would use a telephone translation service.
How will the early years setting prepare and support my child to join the early years setting, transfer to a new setting/school?
-Our settling in period is designed to meet each childs individual needs. We offer as many or as few settling in sessions the child and importantly parent/carers as well as a home visit.
-Transitions between the rooms within the nursery are very smooth due to the open planned environment. Key staff spend the day in the next room with the child helping them to develop bonds with both staff and other children.
-We work closely with the local primary school and have staff visiting us during the transition period. We also take the children on visits to the school for other occasions such as to watch their Christmas performance.
-We send the child learning journal to their next setting and provide a short report on the individual child. We would pass on any relevant information regarding your childs needs so they can prepare.
How are the early years settings resources allocated and matched to childrens special educational needs?
-We are a charity and therefore any profit made is put back into the nursery to achieve the best outcomes for the children. We regularly hold fundraising events such as our art exhibition.
-Wakoos apply for grants from local organisations to assist with purchasing resources and equipment.
How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?
-In the first instance staff will observe your child to determine the level of support your child may need. We will then make a referral to FIRST team, who will put make an assessment on your childs needs. You as a parent/carer will be involved in the decision making process.
-We regularly monitor and review the progress we are making by observing and completing next steps on your child.
How are parents involved in the early years setting? How can I be involved?
-Our committee is made up of a team of parent volunteers. All parent/carers are invited to join the committee who meet regularly to discuss the nurseries development.
-We send out parent questionnaires and the results of these influence our practise within the nursery.
Who can I contact for further information?
-Your first point of contact if you have any worries or concerns would be your childs key worker or room leader.
-If you would like information on enrolling your child please contact 01403786800 or
-Our SEN co-ordinator is Charlotte Moss you can contact her on the telephone number above.
-Your local children and family centre can offer you guidance on childcare.
Registered Charity No. 1137968 Wakoos Centre4Children Ltd OFSTED No. EY420054 Company Reg No. 7180968