Special Education Needs & Disabilities (SEND)
Using the EYFS and Montessori curriculum we aim to provide an environment in which all children achieve the best possible education and care and become confident learners with a growing ability to communicate their own views. We aim to ensure that each child is supported in reaching their full potential and is regarded of equal worth, irrespective of age, gender, race or ability.
At St Thomas More Montessori Preschool we aim to provide an environment in which all children achieve the best possible education and care and become confident learners with a growing ability to communicate their own views and are supported by the preschool to reach their full potential during the Early Years.
Children and young people with SEND have unique learning needs, socially, emotionally, cognitively or physically that make it harder for them to learn than other children and young people of the same age. These children and young people may need extra or different support from that given to others.
Children and young people with SEND may need extra help because of a range of needs:-
Communicating and interacting – for example, where children and young people have speech, language and communication difficulties which make it difficult for them to make sense of language or to understand how to communicate effectively and appropriately with others
Cognition and learning – for example, where children and young people learn at a slower pace than others their age, have difficulty in understanding parts of the curriculum, have difficulties with organisation and memory skills, or have a specific difficulty affecting one particular part of their learning performance such as in literacy or numeracy
Social, emotional and mental health difficulties – for example, where children and young people have difficulty in managing their relationships with other people, are withdrawn, or if they behave in ways that may hinder their and other children’s learning or that have an impact on their health and wellbeing
Sensory and/or physical needs – for example, children and young people with visual and/or hearing impairments or a physical need that means they must have additional ongoing support and equipment
Identification and assessment
Please tell us about any additional needs as early on as you can, preferably when your child is registered with the Preschool, so that we can plan appropriate support in advance. Sometimes a child’s needs are not identified until they have started in Preschool. Any concerns raised by staff are promptly shared with the SENCO who may then carry out further observations and assessments. At this point support will be discussed with parents/carers.
What if my child already has a statement?
What if my child already has an EHCP ?
We support all children and their family during the process of gaining an EHCP or ensuring that we work in collaboration with families and outside agencies involved in an EHCP that is already in place. We will work with you to go through the process of SENIF and getting financial support in place while your child is with us.
Moving into Primary School
Moving into primary school is a big step in your child’s life. We work closely with local schools to make the change as smooth as possible. Arrangements begin as early as possible once your child’s school place has been confirmed. During the last few weeks before leaving us, staff from the primary school will visit to meet and observe your child, and to talk to staff. A meeting with parents and staff from Flitch Montessori and your child’s new school will be arranged to share the One Plan. If necessary, additional visits to the school may be arranged, and a child may be supported during some of these visits by a member of staff from Flitch Montessori.
Monitoring and Reviewing of our SEND Provision:
We monitor and review our policy annually. We ensure the effectiveness of our SEN/disability provision by collecting information from a range of sources e.g. EHCP reviews, staff and management meetings, parental and external agency’s views, inspections and complaints. This information is collated, evaluated and reviewed annually. We provide a complaints procedure.
For further information please see Essex Local Offer website
The Local Offer is published as part of the SEND reforms under the Children and Families Act 2014.
The Local Offer will:
- Give you information about education, health and care services
- Give you information about leisure activities and support groups
- Hold all the information in one place
- Be clear, comprehensive and accessible
- Make service provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations
- Be developed and reviewed with the service providers and service users
Please click here for A Parents Guide to the Essex Local Offer
We very much look forward to working together with you and your child. If you have any questions about additional support for your child, please don’t hesitate to speak to our SEND coordinator.