What training are the staff supporting children with SEND had or are having?  

Our SENCO and Manager attend network meetings to keep up to date with the latest information and news.5 members of staff hold Early Years qualifications, All included SEN modules. All staff attend training. A record of staff training is kept on file. Staff have attended the following training workshops (at least 1 member of staff attended each course); Learning to Talk, Talking to Learn, Anaphylaxis & Epi-Pen Training, Common Assessment Framework, Communication, Language & Literacy in the Foundation Stage, Occupational Therapy Training, Early Intervention SENCO, Autistic Spectrum, SENCO – Working with parents, Inclusion and the Code of Practice, Language in the Pre-School, Behaviour, Working with ADHD Children. Staff training records are held on file and relevant training can be viewed on request.

How will my child be included in activities outside St. Gabriel’s  Playgroup?

All children are welcome to attend trips. We will endeavour to include parents/ carers in the planning of the visit to identify the needs of your child. If necessary, we can prepare a photo book for your child so they know what to expect on the visit, and invite all parents to join us on our trip. A risk assessment would be carried out prior to the visit. We would also take along any aids or medication – along with consent forms, that your child may need. All visits or trips would be planned to include all of our children.

How accessible is St. Gabriel’s Playgroup’s environment (indoors and outdoors)    

If you are a parent/carer who has English as an additional language, we can arrange to get another family member involved who may speak English. We have one disabled toilet with wheelchair access and our doors leading out to the garden are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair - although there is a small lip, a ramp can be put in place to allow free flow outside into our garden. The garden has a grass slope and the lawn is flat and suitable for all children to access. Signs, posters and pictures can be translated or use dual languages. Visual cues will be used to support understanding. We can explain the limitations of the building and would make adaptations to existing resources to ensure all children can access them, if possible.

How will St. Gabriel’s Playgroup prepare and support my child to join the playgroup or transfer to a new setting/school?

We will assign a key person before your child joins us for his/her settling in sessions. We also offer free settling in visits where you can stay for part of the session, and offer a flexible settling in period, if your child is having difficulties settling in. We can provide a prospectus for you and your child to have at home to become familiar with their key person, the routine of the session and activities being offered. We have a web site and facebook page. This also gives us the chance to get to know you and your family, and provides the opportunity for you to share with us details of your child’s needs and the involvement of other agencies, and agree with you a consistent approach to ensure the continuity of care for your child. This can also be done in a meeting before your child starts if you prefer. We will meet with other professionals, Team around Child or Multi-Disciplinary meeting e.g. health care professionals to put in place transition planning/health care plan, or to seek relevant training before your child starts. If your child should attend another setting whilst with us or leave to go to another setting we would invite your child’s new key person/teacher and SENCO to attend sessions with your child to help them become familiar with them and to discuss your child’s strengths and needs. We will hold a transition meeting at your convenience, to plan transition for your child into their new setting or school, giving the new setting time to make necessary plans for any changes they may need to make, sharing targets on your child’s IEP’s, and minutes of review meetings along with any other information that may be relevant to your child. It may also be possible to arrange for your child’s key person to attend settling in sessions at your child’s new setting with them, to help promote a smooth transition. All necessary documentation will be passed onto the receiving setting/school. The grids and learning journals will be passed onto the parents.

How are St. Gabriel’s Playgroup’s resources allocated and matched to children’s special educational needs? 

As a non-profit making organisation we have limited funds. Inclusion funding can be applied for from West Sussex Early Years to support your child in our setting. We can also apply for discretionary funding for 1:1 support, if required. Bursaries can also be applied for staff to attend specific training.

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?

Through the observation process linked to the EYFS ages and stages of development, and in discussion with you, the key person, the Manager and SENCO will identify what support is required. Extra support will be put in place if necessary with the aim of enabling your child to become independent within the environment. Ongoing partnerships with you, other professionals - including EYCS if they are involved, and ourselves will support the discussion making process. Our SENCO will give advice on meeting your child’s needs within the playgroup in consultation with you and other professionals where necessary with your permission. Our SENCO will advise you on the process of applying for extra support. Reports from health care professionals and other professionals, who are working with your child, will be used to plan support within the setting. The EYCS Team or other professionals working with our SENCO will support the decision making process to plan targets on the IEP. The IEP will be written with you and will include how you can support your child at home. Staff meetings within the setting will ensure all staff working with your child know your child’s strengths and needs and how to support them.

How are parents involved at St. Gabriel’s Playgroup? How can I be involved?

You are involved in identifying needs, information sharing, identifying targets and next steps to focus on at home and in the setting and in reviewing progress towards these targets at IEP review meetings. Your permission will be sought before involving outside agencies.

Parents are involved in the management committee, fundraising, or visiting the playgroup to help out with activities (this does not have to be on a regular basis).

Who can I contact for further information? If you wish to discuss your child’s needs prior to starting you need to contact either Charlie Worsfold (deputy manager) or Linda Nicholl (Manager). You are welcome to discuss concerns or progress with your child’s key person, the Manager or SENCO at any time. ST. GABRIEL’S PLAYGROUP, PO BOX 357, BILLINGSHURST, RH14 4AL. Email: stgabrielsplaygroup@mail.com For more information on West Sussex Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) offer, see the following website www.westsussex.local-offer.org